LANSING – Pointing to today's AP report that Merck & Co. will pay $4.85 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits over the painkiller Vioxx, State Representative Gary McDowell (D-Rudyard) slammed the Michigan Senate for sitting on packages spearheaded by the House aimed at protecting Michigan residents who have been harmed or killed by these dangerous drugs.
"Only one state in the nation gives drug companies immunity when their products harm or kill, and that's Michigan," said McDowell. "Our state should be a leader in consumer protection – instead, we're last. These bills will give people harmed by dangerous prescription drugs the opportunity to hold the makers accountable. It's time for the Senate to do the right thing and move these bills."
Merck faced about 26,600 lawsuits representing 47,000 plaintiffs throughout the United States, plus about 265 potential class action cases, filed by people or family members who claimed the drug proved fatal or injured its users. The agreement covers cases filed in federal and state courts, and the payouts will vary, depending on injuries and the length of time that Vioxx was taken, according to a Nov. 9 AP report.
However, Michigan residents will not have an opportunity to file claims due to the Senate's failure to act on a package of bills that passed the House in February. The House Democratic plan would end the total immunity enjoyed by the big drug companies in Michigan and allow consumers to hold big drug companies accountable when dangerous drugs such as Vioxx harm or kill.
"Our residents shouldn't be treated as second-class citizens simply because they live in Michigan," McDowell said. "Michigan consumers deserve legal recourse when a dangerous drug makes it through the FDA's screening process and is later proven to be unsafe. The House has done its part – now it's time for the Senate to stand up for Michigan residents and follow suit."