6th Cir. Rejects Constitutional Challenge to Michigan Drug Immunity Law

CINCINNATI - A Michigan law barring lawsuits against drugs companies whose product and labeling was approved by the FDA does not violate the U.S. Constitution, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals held Oct. 7. Garcia v. Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, No. 03-1712 (6th Cir.).

The Sixth Circuit panel said the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan did not err in awarding summary judgment to Wyeth Ayerst Laboratories on claims by Julia Garcia.

Garcia blames her liver disease on Duract (bromfenac sodium), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine Garcia's physician prescribed for neck and shoulder pain. Garcia contends the drug led to …