RALEIGH, N.C (AP) — A North Carolina legislative committee
has removed from a liability lawsuit measure a provision that would have given
broad product protections for pharmaceutical companies.

A Senate judiciary panel has deleted language from the House
language that would give drug companies immunity from lawsuits attacking the safety
and quality of their product if the Food and Drug Administration approved the
drug for sale.

Committee chairman Sen. Pete Brunstetter of Forsyth County said Monday that lawmakers will
now study the issue. He says senators of both parties have raised concerns
about the drug provision late in this year’s session.

Attorney General Roy Cooper has warned such a liability
restriction would make it more difficult his office to take actions against
drug companies that could result in monetary payments for the state.