"We have been fighting to repeal this one-of-a-kind, unfair Michigan law for nearly two years," said Donigan, a leading advocate of this legislation. "There is nothing more important than the safety and health of our citizens."
In the wake of scandals surrounding drugs, such as Vioxx, there have been revelations that many members of FDA drug-approval boards have ties to the pharmaceutical industry. Last week, National Public Radio aired a story about members of Congress who are taking issue with how the FDA monitors new drugs and how much it is influenced by the drug industry.[1] Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) also recently railed against the FDA, saying that the FDA is too cozy with drug companies.[2]The public testimony of FDA scientists such as Dr. David Graham indicate that the FDA's system for drug evaluation is "broken."[3]
"The FDA is broken," Melton said. "The big drug companies should not be entitled to special protection over the safety of our residents."
The package of bills will: repeal a 1996 law granting legal immunity to drug companies; make the repeal retroactive so that residents harmed by dangerous drugs since 1996 can seek legal recourse; and include big drug companies in the Consumer Protection Act, from which they are currently exempted.
"Legislators need to send the message that it is illegal for big drug companies to mislead and deceive consumers," Vagnozzi said. "These businesses have made billions of dollars off of their dangerous drugs while their victims have been left to suffer."
[1] Silberner, Joanne, "Lawmakers Take a Hard Look at FDA, Drugs," National Public Radio, Feb. 14, 2007.
[2] Kelly, Matt, "Grassley to Testify About FDA Concerns," Radio Iowa, Feb. 13, 2007.
[3] Testimony of David Graham, associate director for science and medicine in the FDA's Office of Drug Safety, before the Senate Finance Committee, Nov. 18, 2004.