Japan To Compensate Hepatitis C Victims, Leave Drug Makers Liable (Japan)
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
The Japanese government plans to enact legislation early in the new year to compensate some of an estimated 1,000 patients infected with hepatitis C after being given tainted blood products. The proposed bill would let the courts decide who would be eligible, as well as the fate of drug makers responsible for the suspect blood products. Under the bill being discussed by legislators, government compensation would be confined to patients given fibrinogen and hemostatic agents, but not to those infected through transfusions. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda apologized in person to four of the 200 people who filed suits. (Click here for more