The Bush administration has been blocking lawsuits by consumers who say they have been injured by prescription drugs and medical devices, according to the New York Times.
The administration says consumers cannot recover damages for such injuries if the products have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
If a local judge or jury finds that a drug or device is unsafe, it is in direct conflict with the conclusion reached by the F.D.A. after years of rigorous testing and evaluation, according to the NYT.
The Justice Department wrote that this position reflects a “change in governmental policy.”
