US Supreme Court is slated to hear oral arguments involving a case in which a patient sued the manufacturer of a generic version of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, Clinoril (sulindac), alleging use of the NSAID caused her to become physically disfigured, disabled and almost completely bind. The blog said tomorrow's case could "likely settle lingering questions about a small but high-impact class of lawsuits against generics." Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers "are at odds" with the Department of Justice, which is "siding with drug makers, arguing that the courts shouldn't be able to second-guess" the FDA's "approval decisions." In contrast, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), who "wrote almost all" of the nation's generic drug laws, and Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) "disagree. ... Congress never intended for FDA approval to preempt lawsuits over drug safety, Waxman said in a court brief."
Odds and Ends
Center for Medicine in the Public Interest is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization promoting innovative solutions that advance medical progress, reduce health disparities, extend life and make health care more affordable, preventive and patient-centered. CMPI also provides the public, policymakers and the media a reliable source of independent scientific analysis on issues ranging from personalized medicine, food and drug safety, health care reform and comparative effectiveness.
