Court orders state and corporations to compensate hepatitis C patients

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Court orders state and corporations to compensate hepatitis C patients

The Fukuoka District Court on August 30 ordered the government and drug companies, including Mitsubishi Pharma Corp., to pay about 170 million yen in damages to 11 plaintiffs infected with the hepatitis C virus from tainted blood products.

The ruling acknowledged that the state and the drug companies are both responsible for failing to take the necessary steps to limit the use of fibrinogen and distribute safety information by November 1980, and awarded compensation to those who were treated with fibrinogen after that time.

The Osaka District Court in June recognized the similar responsibility of the state after April 1987 and of the drug companies after August 1985.

Head of the plaintiff lawyers Yahiro Mitsuhide said that the ruling has taken the Osaka District Court decision a step forward. Criticizing the government and companies for "ignoring their responsibilities for 26 years," he expressed his determination to completely settle the issue at the earliest possible time.

Yamaguchi Michiko, head of plaintiffs, said, "Further postponing the resolution of the issue is tantamount to taking away our lives," and called on the government to apologize and establish a sufficient medical care system as soon as possible.
- Akahata, August 31, 2006