Republicans are moving toward endorsing a bill that would pour billions of federal dollars into the development of new vaccines for combating a flu pandemic or biologic attack. But a trial lawyers group and some Democrats are working to scuttle all--or at least portions--of the bill that includes broad protections for drug developers. The bill would appropriate about $7 billion and is expected to start a move through Capitol Hill next week. The opposing forces are promising a high-profile confrontation over the bill, with neither side indicating a willingness to compromise. Republican leaders say no vaccine maker will act without liability protection and Democrats say that the bill is another example of a backroom deal to benefit the drug companies.
- see this report [1] from The Washington Post for more
Links:
[1] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/16/AR2005111602238.html