Named Patient Program vs Compassionate Use Program

Early access programmes allow patients to access experimental medicines outside a normal clinical trial setting. These programmes can provide vital information for the developers of a medicine. As well as potentially meeting the needs of a patient experiencing a life-threatening illness.

What is a named patient programme?

A named patient use program allows patients to get medication they wouldn't normally have access to. In some cases, drugs can be approved and commercially available in some countries and not available in others. For patients in countries where the drug is not available, a named patient programme (NPP) can provide access to these drugs.

An organisation operating named patient programme will use its resources to source, procure and deliver drugs to a patient. Providing care that could be lifesaving, while managing the regulatory and compliance difficulties of importing drugs. Especially those with restrictions placed upon them.

What is a compassionate use programme?

A compassionate use programme is an option for those who suffer from a life-threatening illness. It has a similar effect as a named patient programme by enabling unauthorised medicinal products in extreme circumstances. These agreements focus on making new medicines accessible, not on making existing restricted medicines available in a country. Doctors usually use these for patients with life-threatening or long-lasting illnesses.

Similarly to a NPP (named patient programme), a clinical logistics company can help ensure that sensitive or unapproved drugs reach patients safely and legally. They work with pharmaceutical companies to get the right paperwork for the drugs to be delivered.

Early access programmes are an important part of the approval process. They provide opportunities to test medicines in new contexts and provide hope to patients where other treatments have failed. If the medicines are effective, this helps the patient and provides evidence for new applications of medicines. Therefore, potentially saving more lives in the future.

Email info@corex-logistics.com to learn more about our early access programme services.