Source: https://www.bipc.com/fifth-circuit-joins-eighth-in-holding-that-state-law-failure-to-warn-claims-against-generic-drug-manufacturers-are-not-preempted-by-federal-regulation
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 06:33:51+00:00

Document:
On January 8, 2010, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held that state law failure to warn claims against generic drug manufacturers are not preempted by federal regulation. Demahy v. Actavis, Inc., 2010 WL 46513 (C.A. 5 (La.). This decision is consistent with that of the Eighth Circuit in Mensing v. Wyeth, 588 F.3d 603 (8th Cir. 2009) and was guided by the Supreme Court's decision in Wyeth v. Levine, 129 S. Ct. 1187 (2009), holding that such claims are not preempted against name brand drug manufacturers. The Fifth Circuit noted that "[a]ppeals involving materially identical preemption claims are now pending before the Sixth Circuit," citing Smith v. Wyeth, No. 09-5460 (6th Cir.); Wilson v. Pliva, No. 09-5466 (6th Cir.); and Morris v. Wyeth, No. 09-5509 (6th Cir.).
In Demahy, the drug at issue was the generic form of Reglan (metoclopramide) manufactured by Actavis. Plaintiff alleged that her long-term ingestion of the drug caused her to develop a neurological movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia. She asserted personal injury claims under the Louisiana Products Liability Act for, inter alia, failure to warn of the risks of the drug's long-term use.
As noted by the Fifth Circuit, preemption of state law can be either found in express statutory language or implied from the aim and structure of federal law. Implied preemption occurs where the federal law is so pervasive that it leaves no room for state supplementation (field preemption) or when state law actually conflicts with federal law (conflict preemption).
Actavis unsuccessfully argued that Demahy's claims were conflict preempted in that it was impossible for Actavis to comply with both federal and state law because, under the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act, ("FDCA"), a generic manufacturer cannot unilaterally change a drug's label but, rather, must use the same label as the name brand. Rejecting that argument, the Fifth Circuit stated that, while the generic's label must be the same as that of the name brand when seeking approval, nothing in the FDCA bars generic labeling modifications following initial approval. Further, the Fifth Circuit agreed with Demahy that Actavis could have strengthened its label warning before receiving FDA approval through the "changes being effected" or CBE process, or could have proposed label changes through the prior approval process or suggested that the FDA send "Dear Doctor" letters to prescribing physicians on its behalf.
We will continue to watch the Sixth Circuit cases cited above to see if that court rules consistently with the Fifth and Eighth Circuits on this important issue.

References: v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v.