Bill Text: CA SB117 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Integrative cancer treatment.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-02-03 - Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [SB117 Detail]
Download: California-2013-SB117-Amended.html
BILL NUMBER: SB 117 AMENDED
BILL TEXT
AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 30, 2013
AMENDED IN SENATE APRIL 8, 2013
INTRODUCED BY Senator Hueso
JANUARY 17, 2013
An act to amend Section 2234.1 of, and to repeal Section 2257 of,
the Business and Professions Code, and to amend Sections 109270,
109285, 109295, 109300, 109350, and 109375 of, and to add Article 2.5
(commencing with Section 109400) to Chapter 4 of Part 4 of Division
104 of, the Health and Safety Code, relating to health care.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 117, as amended, Hueso. Integrative cancer treatment.
Existing law prohibits the sale, prescription, or administration
of a drug, medicine, compound, or device to be used in the diagnosis,
treatment, alleviation, or cure of cancer unless it has been
approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration or by the State
Department of Public Health, as specified, and makes a violation of
that provision a misdemeanor. The Medical Practice Act provides for
the licensure and regulation of physicians and surgeons by the
Medical Board of California and requires the board to take action
against a licensee who is charged with unprofessional conduct. The
act immunizes a physician and surgeon from discipline for providing
advice or treatment that constitutes alternative or complementary
medicine if the treatment or advice meets certain requirements. The
Osteopathic Act provides for the licensure and regulation of
osteopathic physicians and surgeons by the Osteopathic Medical Board
of California and requires the board to enforce the Medical Practice
Act with respect to its licensees.
This bill would prohibit a physician and surgeon, including an
osteopathic physician and surgeon, from recommending, prescribing, or
providing integrative cancer treatment, as defined, to cancer
patients unless certain requirements are met , including, but
not limited to, that the treatment is recommended or prescribed after
informed consent is given and that the treatment recommended or
prescribed meets the evidence-based medical standard, as specified
. The bill would specify that a failure of a physician and
surgeon to comply with these requirements constitutes unprofessional
conduct and cause for discipline by the applicable licensing board.
The bill would require the State Department of Public Health to
investigate violations of these provisions and to hold hearings with
respect to compliance with these provisions. The bill would make
conforming changes to other related provisions.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 2234.1 of the Business and Professions Code is
amended to read:
2234.1. (a) A physician and surgeon shall not be subject to
discipline pursuant to subdivision (b), (c), or (d) of Section 2234
solely on the basis that the treatment or advice he or she rendered
to a patient is alternative or complementary medicine, including the
treatment of persistent Lyme Disease, if that treatment or advice
meets one of the following requirements, as applicable:
(1) The treatment or advice is for a condition other than cancer
and meets all of the following requirements:
(A) It is provided after informed consent and a good faith prior
examination of the patient, and medical indication exists for the
treatment or advice, or it is provided for health or well-being.
(B) It is provided after the physician and surgeon has given the
patient information concerning conventional treatment and describing
the education, experience, and credentials of the physician and
surgeon related to the alternative or complementary medicine that he
or she practices.
(C) In the case of alternative or complementary medicine, it does
not cause a delay in, or discourage traditional diagnosis of, a
condition of the patient.
(D) It does not cause death or serious bodily injury to the
patient.
(2) The treatment or advice is for cancer and is given in
compliance with Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 109400) of
Chapter 4 of Part 4 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code.
(b) For purposes of this section, "alternative or complementary
medicine," means those health care methods of diagnosis, treatment,
or healing that are not generally used but that provide a reasonable
potential for therapeutic gain in a patient's medical condition that
is not outweighed by the risk of the health care method.
(c) Since the National Institute of Medicine has reported that it
can take up to 17 years for a new best practice to reach the average
physician and surgeon, it is prudent to give attention to new
developments not only in general medical care but in the actual
treatment of specific diseases, particularly those that are not yet
broadly recognized in California.
SEC. 2. Section 2257 of the Business and Professions Code is
repealed.
SEC. 3. Section 109270 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to
read:
109270. The department shall:
(a) Prescribe reasonable regulations with respect to the
administration of this article and Article 2 (commencing with Section
109300).
(b) Investigate violations of this article, Article 2 (commencing
with Section 109300), and Article 2.5 (commencing with Section
109400), and report the violations to the appropriate enforcement
authority.
(c) Secure the investigation and testing of the content, method of
preparation, efficacy, or use of drugs, medicines, compounds, or
devices proposed to be used, or used, by any individual, person,
firm, association, or other entity in the state for the diagnosis,
treatment, or cure of cancer, prescribe reasonable regulations with
respect to the investigation and testing, and make findings of fact
and recommendations upon completion of any such investigation and
testing.
(d) Adopt a regulation prohibiting the prescription,
administration, sale or other distribution of any drug, substance, or
device found to be harmful or of no value in the diagnosis,
prevention, or treatment of cancer, except as authorized
under Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 109400).
cancer.
(e) Hold hearings with respect to those matters involving
compliance with this article, Article 2 (commencing with Section
109300), and Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 109400), and
subpoena witnesses and documents. Any or all hearings may be held
before the Cancer Advisory Council. Any administrative action to be
taken by the department as a result of the hearings shall be taken
only after receipt of the recommendations of the council. Prior to
issuance of a cease and desist order under Section 109345, a hearing
shall be held. The person furnishing a sample or manufacturer contact
information under Section 109295 shall be given due notice of the
hearing and an opportunity to be heard.
(f) Contract with independent scientific consultants for
specialized services and advice.
In the exercise of the powers granted by this section, the
department shall consult with the Cancer Advisory Council.
SEC. 4. Section 109285 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to
read:
109285. For the purposes of this article, Article 2 (commencing
with Section 109300), and Article 2.5 (commencing with Section
109400), "cancer" means all malignant neoplasms regardless of the
tissue of origin, including malignant lymphoma, Hodgkins
Hodgkin's disease, and leukemia.
SEC. 5. Section 109295 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to
read:
109295. (a) On written request by the department, delivered
personally or by mail, any individual, person, firm, association, or
other entity engaged, or representing himself, herself, or itself, as
engaged, in the diagnosis, treatment, alleviation, or cure of cancer
shall do all of the following:
(1) Furnish the department with the sample as the department may
deem necessary for adequate testing of any drug, medicine, compound,
or device used or prescribed by the individual, person, firm,
association, or other entity in the diagnosis, treatment,
alleviation, or cure of cancer. The individual, person, firm,
association, or other entity may alternatively furnish the department
with the contact information of the manufacturer of the drug,
medicine, compound, or device.
(2) Specify the formula of any drug or compound and name all
ingredients by their common or usual names.
(3) Upon request of the department, furnish further necessary
information as the department may request as to the composition and
method of preparation of and the use that any drug, compound, or
device is being put by the individual, person, firm, association, or
other entity.
(b) This section shall apply to any individual, person, firm,
association, or other entity that renders health care or services to
individuals who have or believe they have cancer. This section also
applies to any individual, person, firm, association, or other entity
that by implication causes individuals to believe they have cancer.
(c) Upon the failure to provide the sample or the manufacturer's
contact information, disclose the formula, or name the ingredients as
required by this section, it shall be conclusively presumed that the
drug, medicine, compound compound, or
device that is the subject of the department's request has no value
in the diagnosis, treatment, alleviation, or cure of cancer.
SEC. 6. Section 109300 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to
read:
109300. The sale, offering for sale, holding for sale,
delivering, giving away, prescribing, or administering of any drug,
medicine, compound, or device to be used in the diagnosis, treatment,
alleviation, or cure of cancer is unlawful and prohibited unless one
of the following applies:
(a) An application with respect thereto has been approved under
Section 505 of the federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
(b) The use is consistent with Article 2.5 (commencing with
Section 109400).
(c) There has been approved an application filed with the board
setting forth all of the following:
(1) Full reports of investigations that have been made to show
whether or not the drug, medicine, compound, or device is safe for
the use, and whether the drug, medicine, compound, or device is
effective in the use; use.
(2) A full list of the articles used as components of the drug,
medicine, compound, or device; device.
(3) A full statement of the composition of the drug, medicine,
compound, or device; device.
(4) A full description of the methods used in, and the facilities
and controls used for, the manufacture, processing, and packing of
the drug, medicine, or compound or in the case of a device, a full
statement of its composition, properties, and construction and the
principle or principles of its operation;
operation.
(5) Such samples of the drug, medicine, compound, or device and of
the articles used as components of the drug, medicine, compound, or
device as the board may require; and require.
(6) Specimens of the labeling and advertising proposed to be used
for the drug, medicine, compound, or device.
SEC. 7. Section 109350 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to
read:
109350. The department may direct that an individual, person,
firm, association, or other entity shall cease and desist any further
prescribing, recommending, or use of any drug, medicine, compound,
or device for which no application has been approved under this
article and Article 1 (commencing with Section 109250) unless its use
is exempt under Section 109325 or 109330 or authorized under Article
2.5 (commencing with Section 109400).
SEC. 8. Section 109375 of the Health and Safety Code is amended to
read:
109375. The director shall investigate possible violations of
this article, Article 1 (commencing with Section 109250), and Article
2.5 (commencing with Section 109400), and report violations to the
appropriate enforcement authority.
SEC. 9. Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 109400) is added to
Chapter 4 of Part 4 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code, to
read:
Article 2.5. Integrative Cancer Treatment
109400. For purposes of this article:
(a) "Integrative cancer treatment" means the use of a combination
of evidence-based substances or therapies for the purpose of reducing
the size of a cancer, slowing the progression of a cancer, or
improving the quality of life of a patient with cancer, by a
physician and surgeon practicing within his or her scope of practice.
(b) "Physician and surgeon" means a physician and surgeon licensed
pursuant to Section 2050 of the Business and Professions Code or an
osteopathic physician and surgeon licensed pursuant to the
Osteopathic Act.
109401. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a
physician and surgeon shall not recommend or prescribe integrative
cancer treatment for cancer patients unless the following
requirements are met, as applicable:
(1) The treatment is recommended or prescribed after informed
consent is given, as provided in Section 109402.
(2) The treatment recommended or prescribed meets the
evidence-based medical standard provided in Section 109403.
(3) The physician and surgeon prescribing the treatment complies
with the patient reevaluation requirements set forth in Section
109404 after the treatment begins.
(4) The physician and surgeon prescribing the treatment complies
with all of the standards of care set forth in Section 109405.
(b) A physician and surgeon shall not provide integrative cancer
treatment for cancer patients unless the treatment is prescribed by a
physician and surgeon in compliance with subdivision (a).
109402. (a) For purposes of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of
Section 109401, informed consent has been given if the patient signs
a form stating either of the following:
(1) The name and telephone number of the physician and surgeon
from whom the patient is receiving conventional cancer care and
whether the patient has been informed of the type of cancer from
which the patient suffers and his or her prognosis using conventional
treatment options.
(2) That the patient has declined to be under the care of an
oncologist or other physician and surgeon providing conventional
cancer care.
(b) The form described in subdivision (a) shall include all of the
following information:
(1) The type of care the patient will be receiving or that is
being recommended is not, in whole or in part, the conventional
treatment for treating cancer in California.
(2) The conventional treatment for treating cancer in California
consists of radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.
(3) All or part of the treatment that the physician and surgeon
will be prescribing or recommending is not approved by the federal
Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of cancer.
(4) The care that the patient will be receiving or that is being
recommended is not mutually exclusive of the patient receiving
conventional cancer treatment.
(5) The following written statements:
THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE PHYSICIAN
PRESCRIBING YOUR INTEGRATIVE CANCER CARE RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF
USING CONVENTIONAL CANCER TREATMENTS, INCLUDING RADIATION,
CHEMOTHERAPY, AND SURGERY. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU SEE AN
ONCOLOGIST OR ANOTHER PHYSICIAN TO PROVIDE YOU WITH CONVENTIONAL
CANCER CARE.
ANY AND ALL MEDICAL TREATMENTS INVOLVE SOME DEGREE OF RISK OF
INJURY UP TO AND INCLUDING DEATH.
109403. For purposes of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of
Section 109401, a treatment meets the evidence-based medical standard
for integrative cancer treatment if one
either of the following requirements is met:
(a) The treatment is recognized by the Physician's Data Query of
the National Cancer Institute and has been reported to reduce
the size of a cancer, slow the progression of a cancer, or improve
the quality of life of a patient with cancer .
(b) The treatment has been published in at least three
peer-reviewed scientific medical journals.
(c) The treatment has been reported in at least three
peer-reviewed articles published in complementary and alternative
medicine journals to have the potential of reducing the size of a
cancer, slowing the progression of a cancer, or improving the quality
of life of a patient with cancer.
(b) The treatment has been reported to reduce the size of a
cancer, slow the progression of a cancer, or improve the quality of
life of a patient with cancer in peer-reviewed literature,
peer-reviewed biomedical compendia, and other peer-reviewed medical
literature that all meet the criteria for indexing of the National
Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine.
109404. For purposes of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of
Section 109401, a physician and surgeon prescribing integrative
cancer treatment complies with the patient reevaluation requirements
if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(a) The patient is informed regarding the measurable results
achieved within the timeframe established pursuant to paragraph (2)
of subdivision (a) of Section 109405 and at regular and appropriate
intervals during the treatment plan.
(b) The physician and surgeon reevaluates treatment when progress
stalls or reverses, in the opinion of the physician and surgeon or
the patient, or as evidenced by objective evaluations.
(c) The patient is informed about and agrees to any proposed
change or changes in treatment, including, but not limited to, the
risks and benefits of the proposed change or changes, the costs
associated with the proposed change or changes, and the timeframe
within which the proposed change or changes will be reevaluated.
109405. For purposes of paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of
Section 109401, a physician and surgeon complies with all of the
standards of care in prescribing integrative cancer treatment under
this article if all of the following requirements are met:
(a) The physician and surgeon provides the patient with all of the
following when prescribing the treatment:
(1) Information regarding the treatment prescribed, including its
usefulness in treating cancer.
(2) A timeframe and plan for reevaluating the treatment using
standard and conventional means in order to assess treatment
efficacy.
(3) A cost estimate for the prescribed treatment.
(b) The physician and surgeon ensures that relevant, generally
accepted tests are administered to confirm the effectiveness and
progress of the treatment.
(c) The physician and surgeon, prior to prescribing or changing
the treatment, makes a good faith effort to obtain from the patient
all relevant charts, records, and laboratory results relating to the
patient's conventional cancer care.
(d) At the request of the patient, the physician and surgeon makes
a good faith effort to coordinate the care of the patient with the
physician and surgeon providing conventional cancer care to the
patient.
(e) At the request of the patient, the physician and surgeon
provides a synopsis of any treatment rendered pursuant to this
article to the physician and surgeon providing conventional cancer
care to the patient, including subjective and objective assessments
of the patient's state of health and response to that treatment.
109406. The failure of a physician and surgeon to comply with
this article constitutes unprofessional conduct and cause for
discipline by his or her licensing board. That person shall not be
subject to Section 109335 or 109370.
