Texas Bill Could Expand ‘Off-Label’ Drug Use

A Texas state senator has introduced the “Truth in Medicine Act” to allow drug companies, doctors, and patients to freely discuss medical options, including potentially life-saving medications that have not been approved by FDA. Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R) told State of Reform that while providers are legally permitted to prescribe medications for off-label purposes, the drug manufacturer is prohibited from sharing information or promoting any use of the drug other than the FDA-approved indication.

Under the bill, the state would be prohibited from disciplining or removing the license of providers and companies who share off-label information.

“SB 1820 is a bill about medical freedom,” Bettencourt said. “This is just a common-sense bill to get ahead of what everybody’s already using, which is off-label uses for existing medications that have already passed all four levels of screening for FDA.”