If you are seeking access to an experimental AIDS-related drug and cannot enroll in a clinical trial, you may want to explore expanded-access or compassionate-use programs. Any physician can sign up a patient who meets the medical criteria for each drug. Depending on the program, you may be required to submit blood work or participate in regular office visits.

Expanded-Access Programs were established in 1989 by the FDA in response to the demands of ACT UP as a way to make experimental drug treatments available to those with life-threatening conditions.

Compassionate-Use Programs also provide new treatments to patients before the date of approval. Some of these drugs will have been approved to treat one condition, while remaining investigational in their treatment of others.