U.S. Actor Dennis Quaid Backs Drugmaker Liability Suits

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WASHINGTON, May 14 (Reuters) - U.S. actor Dennis Quaid urged the U.S. Congress on Wednesday to preserve patients' rights to sue drugmakers for injuries, recounting how his newborn twins nearly died from an accidental drug overdose.

Quaid and his wife have sued Baxter International Inc (BAX.N: Quote, Profile, Research), the maker of the blood-thinning drug given to his twins in a hospital last year. The couple argued that the product was stored in bottles with confusing labels that contributed to the overdose and should have been recalled.

At a congressional hearing, the actor said victims of harm from medicines should be able to seek damages in state court. Drug and medical-device manufacturers argue that U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval should preempt state liability suits in many instances, and the Supreme Court backed that view in a recent device case.
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