KENNEDY ON SUPREME COURT MEDICAL DEVICES RULING

WASHINGTON, DC— Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement today in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Riegel v. Medtronic, which prevents injured patients from suing manufacturers of FDA-approved medical devices. “In enacting legislation on medical devices, Congress never intended that FDA approval would give blanket immunity to manufacturers from liability for injuries caused by faulty devices. Congress obviously needs to correct the court’s decision. Otherwise, FDA approval will become a green light for shoddy practices by manufacturers.” ###