The nonapproved use of medications

The need for new treatments for both established and recently described disorders has heightened awareness of the drug approval process. In particular, many ophthalmologists have questioned the ramifications of using approved drugs in nonapproved settings (such as apraclonidine) and the means of obtaining investigational drugs for patient use. The authors review the legal structures established to address these concerns and recommended approaches ophthalmologists can take to minimize their exposure to legal complications.