Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-11-2009
Abstract
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Wyeth v. Levine sharply limited the availability of implied preemption as a defense in pharmaceutical cases. In this Analysis & Perspective, attorney Brian Wolfman discusses the decision and its implications for prescription drug litigation as well as litigation in other areas that are regulated by the federal government.
After Wyeth, Wolfman says, a defendant in a prescription drug case must demonstrate a ‘‘tight fit between the labeling change proposed by the manufacturer (and rejected by the FDA) and the labeling change that the plaintiff contends would have prevented her injuries.’’ Moreover, he says, in light of Wyeth, agency claims of preemption with respect to other products or services are likely to be subject to increased judicial scrutiny, and it is unlikely that these claims will be accorded substantial deference unless they are tethered to a congressional authorization regarding preemption.
Publication Citation
37 Prod. Safety & Liab. Rep. (BNA), at 550-558 (May 11, 2009)
Scholarly Commons Citation
Wolfman, Brian, "Wyeth v. Levine and Its Implications" (2009). Georgetown Law Faculty Publications and Other Works. 1074.
https://scholarship.law.georgetown.edu/facpub/1074
Comments
Reproduced with permission from Product Safety & Liability Reporter, 37 PSLR 55 (May 11, 2009). Copyright 2009 by The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (800-372-1033) http://www.bna.com