The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today released the following statement by Wendy Block, Director of Health Policy and Human Resources for the Michigan Chamber, in response to Governor Granholm's call in her State of the State address for the Michigan Senate to make it easier for personal injury lawyers to sue drug manufacturers:

"On a night when the Governor stressed the need to work cooperatively to move Michigan forward, we are disappointed that she chose to highlight a highly divisive political issue designed to benefit personal injury lawyers' pocketbooks by making Michigan a liability lawsuit magnet.

"Michigan law already allows a person to sue when a drug manufacturer knowingly tries to hide information or deceive the FDA about a product's safety. Companies that knowingly try to mislead consumers must continue to be held accountable. But life science companies whose mission is to research and develop drugs with the purpose of helping people lead healthier, more productive, lives and have followed and met rigorous FDA approval standards, should not be subjected to endless litigation.

"Repealing Michigan's FDA defense law will make personal injury lawyers millions of dollars while taking the state of Michigan and our economy one giant step backwards."

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business advocacy organization representing over 7,000 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be a strong advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process.

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SOURCE: Michigan Chamber of Commerce

CONTACT: Wendy Block, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, +1-517-371-7678

Web site: http://www.michamber.com/