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Compassionate use programmes enable people with life-threatening, long-lasting or seriously disabling illnesses to use drugs that have not yet been authorised. This is usually only for drugs that are near to drug approval, especially for people who would be excluded from research studies.

This is similar to, and sometimes called, a named-patient programme.

Information on compassionate access in the EU.

enzyme – a protein produced in the body that triggers or speeds up other chemical reactions.

hepatitis – an infection that causes liver inflammation, usually a virus.

WHO (World Health Organisation) – international organisation involved in global responses to HIV.

WHO website.

dual therapy – using 2 drugs together.