LANSING- Senate Democrats once again today called on Senate Republican’s to take up bills that provide justice to Michigan victims of dangerous drugs. Yesterday Merck, the manufacturer of the dangerous drug Vioxx, announced that it would be offering billions of dollars in a lawsuit settlement to potentially 47,000 victims around the country, but Michigan victims and their families are prevented from seeking recourse because of our state’s drug immunity law.

“If a deadly drug takes someone’s life or causes severe injury, families should be able to seek justice regardless of what state they call home,” said Senate Democratic Leader Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek). “The Republican Senate majority’s failure to act on reform legislation means that Michigan consumers have fewer rights than others across the country and that’s unacceptable.”

Michigan is the only state in the nation with a law prohibiting recourse for consumers who are injured or have family members killed by a harmful drug. In February, the Michigan House of Representatives approved reform legislation that would repeal immunity for drug companies and restore consumer’s rights, but the Republican-controlled Senate has refused to take up the package.

“It’s a disgrace that Michigan victims and their families are forced to sit on the sidelines and watch as others hold drug companies accountable,” said Senator Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing), who has also sponsored drug immunity reform legislation. “This reform should have been a priority for our chamber and instead it’s a painful reminder of the majority’s unwillingness to put people first.”

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