Friday, January 10, 2003

Eli Lilly and Company is disappointed by today's Senate decision to seek the repeal of the vaccine ingredient provision of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. However, Lilly agrees that the process by which this legislation was enacted was not desirable, and fully understands the action taken by the Senate. Further, Lilly is pleased that the Senate has included "sense of the Senate" language to consider and pass comprehensive vaccine legislation in the first half of 2003. Lilly is hopeful that this legislation will incorporate the vaccine ingredient language that was included in the Homeland Security Act.

The vaccine ingredient provision only clarified that claims alleging injury due to vaccine ingredients are to be heard in the Vaccine Court established by the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). It did not change in any way the underlying law or the way it is being interpreted by the courts.  We are pleased that the Senate has acknowledged that by removing the provision, it is doing so without prejudice of pending court cases to benefit any litigant.

There is no denying that autism is a devastating diagnosis for many families and Lilly expresses profound sympathy for these families. However, the lawsuits that have been filed against Lilly and other manufacturers are not supported by science. There is no scientific evidence that links thimerosal to autism. As Lilly has maintained throughout this debate, this issue must be decided by science, not politics or litigation.

Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., Lilly provides answers - through medicines and information - for some of the world's most urgent medical needs.  Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.