Monday, August 18, 2014

Ala court upholds generic drug decision

The Alabama Supreme Court is standing by a decision that business sees as a defeat. The court on Friday issued an opinion that mostly parallels its ruling last year in a generic drug case. A divided court says the original decision isn't as broad as some are claiming. But a majority stuck by a 2013 decision saying a brand-name drugmaker can be held responsible by someone who took a generic medication made by a different company. The Business Council of Alabama says it's disappointed. So is Wyeth, the drug manufacturer sued by Danny and Vicki Weeks over the man's use of a generic form of the brand-name medicine Reglan. The Weeks filed suit in federal court, and a judge asked the Supreme Court to clarify state law.