Compass is still being developed and is effectively in beta. Some content and features may be incomplete, change, or not work as expected.

Content is anchored to trusted sources where available, but Compass has not yet been clinically reviewed. It provides general information rather than medical advice.

Feedback helps us identify gaps, errors, usability problems and opportunities to improve Compass over time.

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Treatments and research

Expanded access

A route to a treatment that is still being studied, for people who cannot join a trial.

What it means

A formal programme, agreed with the body that approves medicines in that country, giving access outside a trial where there is no satisfactory alternative. It is not the same as the treatment being approved, and what is learned from it is weaker evidence than a trial produces.

Why you might hear it

  • It comes up when a promising treatment is not yet available locally.
  • Availability differs sharply between countries.

People who may help

Where Compass goes into this

About this explanation

These are plain explanations of words you may come across, not advice about your own situation. Where a word matters to a decision, the question pages go into it properly, and your own team is the place to take it.