Michigan Law Applies to Bar Illinois HRT Claim, Judge Rules

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - A Michigan resident who sued New Jersey-based Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. in Illinois for an injury she said was caused by the company's hormone replacement therapy drug may not proceed with her case because it's preempted by a statute that protects drug makers from product liability suits, a judge has ruled. Dean v. Wyeth, et al., No. 04-1202 (E.D. Ark.).

In reaching the decision, Judge William R. Wilson Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas determined that Michigan law, and its statute immunizing drug manufacturers from liability, apply to Judith Dean's claim …