Judge Says Paxil Maker Entitled to 'Broad Immunity' Under Statute

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - A Michigan law immunizing drug manufacturers from liability in products liability suits extends to claims for injuries arising from off-label uses of prescription drugs, a judge has ruled in rejecting claims that Paxil caused a 16-year-old girl to commit suicide. White v. SmithKline Beecham Corp., No. 07-529 (W.D. Mich.).

Judge Paul L. Maloney of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan held March 6 that the Michigan immunity statute should be extended broadly to a myriad of activities a drug manufacturer may perform related to the product, so long as it is FDA-approved.

"The …