ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analyze 13 judicial precedents involving off-label drug use and explore the legal interpretation on off-label drug use in China in order to provide experience for establishment of off-label drug use and clinical application. METHODS: Based on the law databases (China Judgements Online, Chinalawinfo, Jufaanli, Itslaw), 13 cases were searched and screened involving legal off-label drug use. The relationship was investigated and discussed between different results and characteristics of the 13 cases. RESULTS: In 13 cases, there are 2 cases probably reasonable for off-label use, 2 cases unreasonable but not correlated with patients′ outcomes, 9 unreasonable and with a causal relationship with patients′ outcomes. In the 9 unreasonable cases, there are 4 cases without sufficient evidence, 3 cases without informed consent, 1 case lack of monitoring after off-label use, 1 case with idiosyncratic reaction, and 1 case not consistent with the label of the drug used. CONCLUSION: Major deficiencies of off-label drug use in China are without sufficient evidence, lack of informed consent and with uncompleted system on off-label drug use. Establishing more completed and detailed system, investigating enough clinical evidence, better informed consent and monitoring after off-label use are important measurements to ensure safety on off-label drug use.