No longer LBN but worth seeing the difference of a government taking responsibility

[rumpel]

Diet enacts relief law for hepatitis C patients

01/12/2008
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN

In an unprecedented move, the Diet enacted legislation Friday that notes the government's responsibility in the mass infection of hepatitis C through tainted blood products and offers blanket relief to victims.

It is the first passage of a lawmaker-initiated bill aimed at helping victims of a pharmaceutical-related disaster.

The government is expected to settle a five-year court dispute when it meets with the plaintiffs next Tuesday. Attempts to reach a court-mediated settlement in the lawsuit had failed, prompting lawmakers to take action.

Plaintiffs who attended the Upper House session Friday applauded as the chamber voted unanimously in favor of the bill. Some dabbed their eyes with handkerchiefs and then broke into smiles.

"All the suffering of these five years has been blown away," said Michiko Yamaguchi, a 51-year-old representative of a nationwide plaintiffs' group.

The legislation covers people who contracted hepatitis C after being administered the tainted coagulants fibrinogen and factor IX products.

Depending on their condition, the patients will be eligible for compensation ranging from 12 million yen to 40 million yen.

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, echoing words from the preface of the law, said in a statement Friday, "We must acknowledge the government's responsibility for failing to prevent the spread of damage caused by the infections."

The preface also recommends the state apologize to the victims and offer "blanket relief regardless of when the drug was administered," from a "humanitarian standpoint."

http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200801120095.html

FDA - Are you listening?!