The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Eligible patient" means an individual who meets the requirements of RCW 69.77.040.

(2) "Health care facility" means a clinic, nursing home, laboratory, office, or similar place where a health care provider provides health care to patients.

(3) "Hospital" means a health care institution licensed under chapter 70.41, 71.12, or 72.23 RCW.

(4) "Investigational product" means a drug, biological product, or device that has successfully completed phase one and is currently in a subsequent phase of a clinical trial approved by the United States food and drug administration assessing the safety of the drug, biological product, or device under section 505 of the federal food, drug, and cosmetic act, 21 U.S.C. Sec. 355.

(5) "Issuer" means any state purchased health care programs under chapter 41.05 or 74.09 RCW, a disability insurer regulated under chapter 48.20 or 48.21 RCW, a health care service contractor as defined in RCW 48.44.010, or a health maintenance organization as defined in RCW 48.46.020.

(6) "Manufacturer" means a person or other entity engaged in the manufacture or distribution of drugs, biological products, or devices.

(7) "Physician" means a physician licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW or an osteopathic physician and surgeon licensed under chapter 18.57 RCW.

(8) "Serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition" means a stage of disease in which there is reasonable likelihood that death will occur within six months or in which premature death is likely without early treatment.