Oct. 24, 2018
HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette/Westmoreland) to expand availability of life-saving epinephrine auto-injectors and improve access to clinical trials for cancer patients has been signed into law.
“One of the most basic responsibilities of government is to help keep people safe,” said Warner. “By making it possible for a variety of organizations to keep EpiPens on hand, and addressing financial reimbursements for cancer patients taking part in clinical trials, this bill will most certainly help save lives across the Commonwealth.”
Warner initially proposed allowing state or local police departments to carry, administer or assist in the administration of epinephrine auto-injectors after his 4-year-old son suffered a severe allergic reaction to a cashew he touched. Police arrived first in response to the Warners’ 9-1-1 call, but there was nothing they could do until an ambulance arrived.
“If police can carry NARCAN to help save the life of a person who is overdosing on opioids, it makes sense to me that they should also be permitted by law to carry medication necessary to save the life of a child or adult suffering a severe allergic reaction,” Warner said.
Recognizing the alarming increase in food allergies,
House Bill 126, now
Act 93 of 2018, also extends the authority to have EpiPens on hand to entities such as summer camps, colleges and universities, restaurants, amusement parks, sport facilities, daycares and other facilities.
The new law also addresses another important effort to save lives by ensuring fair access to clinical trials for cancer patients by clarifying the difference between what is considered an “inducement” to a patient to participate in a cancer clinical trial and reimbursement of expenses for participating in a clinical trial.
“This is a necessary distinction because studies have shown households making less than $50,000 annually were almost 30 percent less likely to participate in clinical trials due to the expenses that go along with participation,” Warner said. “While it is unethical to induce someone into participating in a clinical trial, any cancer patient facing this terminal illness should not be precluded from trying a treatment that could save their life because they can’t afford things like transportation, lodging or child care to participate in the trial.”
Warner noted some corporations, individuals, public and private foundations, health care providers, and other stakeholders are hesitant to contribute to, or accept funds from, programs that are organized to alleviate financial burdens faced by patients who wish to participate in clinical trials and their caregivers, due to concerns that the FDA and or other federal regulators would view the payments made from those funds as prohibited inducements for patients to receive the health care services provided during clinical trials.
“It is perfectly appropriate for trial participants to be reimbursed for their expenses, and I’m pleased this new law will help open the door to potentially life-saving treatment to more Pennsylvanians,” Warner said.
Representative Ryan Warner
52nd Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Abby Krueger
717.260.6617
akrueger@pahousegop.com
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