LANSING – House Democrats today blasted Republicans for repeatedly stonewalling attempts to pass a plan that will end total immunity for drug companies when their products injure or even kill people. In dismissing each consecutive attempt to repeal the 1996 total immunity law, Republican Speaker Pro Tem Jerry Kooiman (R-Grand Rapids) called them "frivolous and absurd."
"What's absurd is Michigan's unfair, egregious law to protect the drug industry and its profits at all cost," House Democratic Leader Dianne Byrum (D-Onondaga) said. "What's absurd is giving the drug industry a free pass for dangerous drugs like Vioxx, Rezulin and Bextra. What's absurd is denying victims whose lives have been shattered by dangerous drugs the right to hold these big corporations accountable."
House Democrats today fought repeatedly to force a vote on legislation that will repeal an unfair 1996 law that exempts drug companies from consumer protection laws even when their products injure or kill people. Michigan's law is the only one in the nation. Republicans refused to allow a vote on the plan, dismissing each attempt to get a vote as "frivolous and absurd."
"There is nothing frivolous or absurd about an injury or a death that results from a dangerous drug," Byrum said. "Republicans continue to protect the drug industry and their massive profits, while turning their backs on seniors and victims of dangerous drugs. Michigan must stand up to the powerful drug companies and hold them to the same standards of accountability as every one else."
Byrum is spearheading legislation that will repeal the 1996 total immunity law, subject drug companies to consumer protection laws and be retroactive to 1996 to give victims the right to hold drug companies accountable. Companies like Merck are under growing fire for suspicion of hiding negative studies about Vioxx, the bestselling arthritis medication. Vioxx, which raked in $2.5 billion in annual sales a year before it was pulled from the market in 2004, is suspected of causing tens of thousands of deaths nationwide.
The drug industry has spent more than $800 million in political lobbying since 1998, more than any other group. Drug companies recently sent mail pieces through the Michigan Chamber of Commerce attacking a bipartisan group of state legislators who support repealing Michigan's total immunity law.
Democrats are also fighting to lower prescription drug costs through bulk buying and re-importation.