The Isle of Man government has no plans in the pipeline to allow for new drugs to be tested on terminally ill patients.
A statement from the island’s Department of Health said in addition to considerable investigation a change in the law would be required to implement any such change so the consent of Tynwald would be needed.
The statement comes in the light of a government backed bill in the UK parliament, proposed by Lord Saatchi.
The Medical Innovation Bill,if passed into law, would allow some terminally ill cancer patients to undergo treatment with drugs which have not yet been licensed for use on the public.
The UK bill requires doctors to have agreement from another specialist when prescribing unlicensed treatment but it would then give legal protection to doctors who want to try different teatments once conventional ones have failed.
The Isle of Man Department of Health spokesman said: ‘Professional and regulatory bodies such as the General Medical Council and the British Medical Association have significant reservations and do not currently support the approach proposed in the UK.
‘In the first instance a professional recommendation would be sought from the department’s clinical recommendations committee. In addition it is likely a view would also be sought from the island’s Local Research Ethics Committee.’
The Clinical Recommendations Committee is chaired by the government member for health along with doctors and Department of Health and Social Care staff, as well as lay people. Its function is to recommend appropriate treatments to the Minister for Health and Social Care and prioritise them based on need, effectiveness and value for money.
Lord Saatchi, a Conservative peer who has campaigned for such a change in the law since his wife died from cancer, said the same approach was currently being employed by doctors treating ebola patients in Africa.
The Isle of Man Health Department’s statement concluded: ‘The use of untested drugs in terminally ill patients is a highly emotive topic and the department is mindful of the vital global importance of promoting continued innovation to develop new treatments that are both safe and effective. The department is equally mindful of the need to ensure a safe and equitable health service for all.’