How to know which medicine is available under compassionate access?

There are many sources that could help one knows which medicines are available under compassionate use (CU). For instance, physicians may provide this information to patients. However, not all physicians are aware of the availability of a medicine under CU. This is caused by many factors, not least, the involvement of physicians in research activities. In European countries, physicians hold regular meetings for specific patient cases to explore solutions from research, if any. Still, awareness is always needed to get physicians to know innovative medicines under development that may be used under CU.

Another source for information is represented by the official communications from health authorities. For example, in Europe, each country possesses its own official sources such as the ministry of health in France which publishes, on its website, the list of medicines under early access use and updates it regularly.

Patient organizations also represent good sources to know about medicines under CU. However, these organizations do not exist for every disease and may still lack awareness and related accurate information.

Nowadays, pharmaceutical industry become more and more concerned about access to their treatment in development and do publish their own policy regarding CU in official communications or simply on their website. In order not to miss these, one needs to do extensive research. This could be carried on by either the patient, related caregivers and/or treating physicians or patient groups.

Some health life science institutions are specialized in this field and are committed to help communities get access to medicines under CU by connecting all the above together. These companies provide accurate information about the medicines that are under CU and, most importantly, strive to bring other medicines to be included among those to use under CU.