Off-label Prescription of Medication

Abstract

Off-label use of medication refers to prescribing a registered medicine outside its approved marketing authorization, purpose, target group, or indication. Off-label prescription is a widely accepted practice. However, no or little regulation can be found. In this article, the legal status of off-label prescription will be examined. Does off-label prescription fall under the therapeutical freedom and is it free from regulation? Or should we equalize off-label prescription with a therapeutical experimentation and should it follow the rules of experimentation? I will also examine whether the patient can give an informed consent. Whether or not this is possible leads to intense discussions. Finally, the potential liability of the prescribing physician is of great importance.