Last month, the Michigan House of Representatives passed a bill that would enable the injured victims of defective or unsafe drugs to have their day in court against the multi-billion dollar drug companies producing the drugs. If the bill were to become law, it would end thirteen years of legal immunity enjoyed by pharmaceutical companies and bring Michigan’s law into line with the other forty-nine states in America. Unfortunately, Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, who has long been aligned with drug companies, insists that he will not take the bill up in the Senate.
Senator Bishop’s stance is not at all surprising. As a friend of the drug industry, he has consistently favored corporate profits over the rights of individuals. This time, it appears that Senator Bishop’s own political aspirations may be influencing his decision to prevent the bill from being considered. If Senator Bishop does indeed run for attorney general, as his recent announcement indicates, Michigan citizens can expect more of the same: companies first, people second.
