New Oversight Report Highlights Need for Strong Civil Justice System

FDA Employees Recognize Danger Immunity from Liability Poses to Consumers

October 22, 2008, Washington, DC—Today, just days before the Supreme Court hears Wyeth v. Levine, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee issued a groundbreaking report that details objections made by career Food and Drug Administration employees to the Bush administration's repeated attempts to expand the preemption doctrine in ways that would harm American consumers.  Based on internal FDA documents, the report reveals that many of the agency's long-time scientists and researchers strongly objected to the Bush administration's efforts to shield manufacturers from liability.

"It is unconscionable that our leaders would attempt to protect powerful corporations from liability at the expense of the safety of American consumers," stated Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron.  "Today's revelations are one more example of this administration's overreach and underscore the need for a strong civil justice system that has the ability to hold drug manufacturers accountable and protect the health and safety of every American," Aron said.  "Alliance for Justice commends Chairman Henry Waxman and the Oversight and Government Reform Committee for bringing this important information to light at this critical moment," concluded Aron.

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For more information, please see Alliance for Justice’s latest fact sheet discussing fact vs. fiction when it comes to preemption.