INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana lawmakers are considering a bill that would give terminally ill residents access to drugs that have passed the first stage of federal approval.

The “right to try” legislation would allow the use of medicines that have cleared basic safety tests to ensure they aren't toxic so long as the patient's doctor and the drug manufacturer approve.

Michigan, Colorado, Missouri and Louisiana have passed similar legislation. Arizona put a right-to-try measure in place via a voter referendum, and nearly two dozen other states are considering similar measures.

Republican Representative Wes Culver of Goshen tells the Indianapolis Star the bill was inspired by the lack of approved medicines to treat Ebola.

Medical ethicists are concerned that the drugs could provide false hope and do patients more harm than good.