CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) -- A measure that would allow patients addicted to prescription drugs to sue the doctors who prescribed the medication -- and the drug's makers -- has been met with stiff opposition in a Nevada legislative hearing.
Democratic Sen. Tick Segerblom of Las Vegas presented the bill Wednesday to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Under his proposal, drug manufacturers and anyone licensed to prescribe drugs would be liable for civil action if a user gets addicted or experiences injury resulting from an addiction to the drug. If the patient prevails in the suit, the defendants would have to pay for their rehabilitation, along with possible punitive damages and attorney's fees.
People who packed hearing rooms in Carson City and Las Vegas were overwhelmingly opposed to the measure. They say it would tie doctors' hands when dealing with patients because most medical prescriptions or procedures have possible adverse side effects.
