LANSING- Senate Democrats again fought for Michigan drug victims today by opposing the Senate Republican Majority’s effort to further delay repealing Michigan’s drug industry immunity law. Republicans pushed off an up or down vote until at least June 2, claiming they couldn’t focus on this issue and the state budget at the same time.

“Last week, my colleagues across the aisle delayed any action on Michigan’s drug immunity law while the victims who have been most adversely affected by it watched on,” said Sen. Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing). “And today, they literally added insult to injury by delaying justice for Michigan residents who have been harmed by faulty prescription drugs until June 2, and likely indefinitely.”

Senate Democrats also pointed out that repealing drug immunity not only doesn’t cost the state any money, it could actually alleviate the financial burden on the state budget based on other states’ ability to recoup costs associated with pharmaceutical malpractice.

“The Republicans’ delay on repealing drug immunity today was clearly politically motivated, as we should certainly be able to walk and chew gum at the same time,” said Sen. John J. Gleason (D-Flushing). “As my colleagues across the aisle pontificate on the need to focus on our state’s economic woes, they have also recently avoided voting on the Hire Michigan First legislation that would give Michigan workers priority for hiring on state-funded projects and help turn our economy around, showing that their actions aren’t speaking as loud as their words.”

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