mutual pharmaceutical bartlett argued march decided june federal food drug cosmetic act fdca requires manufacturers gain food drug administration fda approval marketing generic drug interstate commerce drug approved manufacturer prohibited making major changes qualitative quantitative formulation drug product including active ingredients specifications provided approved application cfr generic manufacturers also prohibited making unilateral changes drug label see iii respondent prescribed clinoril version nonsteroidal drug nsaid sulindac shoulder pain pharmacist dispensed generic form sulindac manufactured petitioner mutual pharmaceutical respondent soon developed acute case toxic epidermal necrolysis severely disfigured physical disabilities nearly blind time prescription sulindac label specifically refer toxic epidermal necrolysis however fda recommended changing nsaid labeling contain explicit toxic epidermal necrolysis warning respondent sued mutual new hampshire state mutual removed case federal jury found mutual liable respondent claim awarded million first circuit affirmed relevant found neither fdca fda regulations respondent claim distinguished pliva mensing held claims generic manufacturers fdca prohibition changes generic drug labels arguing generic manufacturers facing claims comply federal state law simply choosing make drug held claims turn adequacy drug warnings federal law pliva pp supremacy clause state laws conflict federal law without effect maryland louisiana even absence express provision state law may impliedly impossible private party comply state federal requirements english general elec impossible mutual comply duty alter sulindac label composition duty either strengthen warnings sulindac label change sulindac design pp new hampshire cause action imposes affirmative duties manufacturers including duty design products reasonably safely uses foresee thibault sears roebuck pp assess whether product design unreasonably dangerous user vautour body masters sports industries new hampshire employs approach asks whether danger magnitude outweighs product utility repeatedly identified three factors germane inquiry usefulness desirability product public whole whether risk danger reduced without significantly affecting either product effectiveness manufacturing cost presence efficacy warning avoid unreasonable risk harm hidden dangers foreseeable uses ibid increasing drug usefulness reducing risk danger require redesigning drug since factors direct results drug chemical design active ingredients however redesign possible two reasons first fdca requires generic drug active ingredients route administration dosage form strength labeling drug equivalent second sulindac simple composition drug chemically incapable redesigned accordingly redesign impossible mutual ameliorate sulindac profile strengthening warnings thus new hampshire law ultimately required mutual change sulindac labeling pp pliva makes clear federal law prevents generic drug manufacturers changing labels see accordingly mutual prohibited taking remedial action required avoid liability new hampshire law federal law forbids action required state law state law without effect maryland supra impossible mutual comply state federal law new hampshire cause action respect drugs sold interstate commerce pp first circuit rationale mutual escape impossibility complying duties choosing stop selling sulindac incompatible cases presumed actor seeking satisfy obligations required cease acting altogether pp reversed alito delivered opinion roberts scalia kennedy thomas joined breyer filed dissenting opinion kagan joined sotomayor filed dissenting opinion ginsburg joined opinion notice opinion subject formal revision publication preliminary print reports readers requested notify reporter decisions washington typographical formal errors order corrections may made preliminary print goes press mutual pharmaceutical company petitioner karen bartlett writ certiorari appeals first circuit june justice alito delivered opinion must decide whether federal law new hampshire claim respondent karen bartlett recovered damages petitioner mutual pharmaceutical manufacturer sulindac generic nonsteroidal drug nsaid new hampshire law imposes duty manufacturers ensure drugs market unreasonably unsafe drug safety evaluated reference chemical properties adequacy warnings mutual unable change sulindac composition matter federal law basic chemistry new hampshire cause action effectively required mutual change sulindac labeling provide stronger warnings recognized two terms ago pliva mensing federal law prohibits generic drug manufacturers independently changing drugs labels accordingly state law imposed duty mutual comply federal law supremacy clause state laws require private party violate federal law thus without effect maryland louisiana appeals solution mutual simply pulled sulindac market order comply state federal law solution rather adopting appeals rationale render impossibility dead letter work revolution case law accordingly hold claims turn adequacy drug warnings federal law pliva thus reverse decision appeals federal food drug cosmetic act fdca ch stat amended et drug manufacturers must gain approval food drug administration fda marketing drug interstate commerce case new drug fda approval secured submitting application nda nda compilation materials must include full reports clinical investigations relevant nonclinical studies data information relevant evaluation safety effectiveness drug product obtained otherwise received applicant source cfr iv nda must also include labeling proposed used drug cfr discussion drug benefits exceed risks conditions stated labeling cfr viii ix fda may approve nda determines drug question safe use conditions use prescribed recommended suggested proposed labeling thereof order fda consider drug safe drug probable therapeutic benefits must outweigh risk harm fda brown williamson tobacco process submitting nda onerous lengthy see report congressional requesters government accountability office new drug development biotechnology typical nda spans thousands pages based clinical trials conducted several years order provide swifter route approval generic drugs congress passed drug price competition patent term restoration act stat popularly known act generic drug may approved without level clinical testing required approval new drug provided generic drug identical drug several key respects first proposed generic drug must chemically equivalent approved drug must active ingredient active ingredients route administration dosage form strength counterpart ii iii second proposed generic must bioequivalent approved drug iv must rate extent absorption drug third generic drug manufacturer must show labeling proposed new drug labeling approved approved drug drug whether generic approved manufacturer prohibited making major changes qualitative quantitative formulation drug product including active ingredients specifications provided approved application cfr generic manufacturers also prohibited making unilateral changes drug label see iii approval generic drug may withdrawn generic drug label longer consistent drug ii fda approved nonsteroidal pain reliever called sulindac brand name clinoril clinoril patent expired fda approved several generic sulindacs including one manufactured mutual pharmaceutical case app pet cert small number patients nsaids including sulindac popular nsaids ibuprofen naproxen serious side effect causing two hypersensitivity skin reactions characterized necrosis skin mucous membranes toxic epidermal necrolysis less severe cousin syndrome dorland illustrated medical dictionary ed physicians desk reference ed friedman orlet still law toxic epidermal necrolysis due administration celecobix celebrex southern medical december respondent karen bartlett prescribed clinoril shoulder pain pharmacist dispensed generic form sulindac manufactured petitioner mutual pharmaceutical respondent soon developed acute case toxic epidermal necrolysis results horrific sixty percent surface respondent body deteriorated burned turned open wound spent months medically induced coma underwent eye surgeries year severely disfigured number physical disabilities nearly blind time respondent prescribed sulindac drug label specifically refer syndrome toxic epidermal necrolysis warn drug cause severe skin reactions atalities app supp nh internal quotation marks omitted however syndrome toxic epidermal necrolysis listed potential adverse reactions drug package insert respondent already suffering toxic epidermal necrolysis fda completed comprehensive review risks benefits including risk toxic epidermal necrolysis approved nsaid products decision letter fda docket june online http visited june available clerk case file result review fda recommended changes labeling nsaids including sulindac explicitly warn toxic epidermal necrolysis app respondent sued mutual new hampshire state mutual removed case federal respondent initially asserted claims district dismissed claim based doctor admi ssion read box label insert trial respondent claim jury found mutual liable awarded respondent million damages appeals affirmed relevant found neither fdca fda regulations respondent claims distinguished pliva mensing held claims generic manufacturers fdca prohibition changes generic drug labels arguing generic manufacturers facing claims simply choose make drug thus comply federal state law granted certiorari iii supremacy clause provides laws treaties shall law land thing constitution laws state contrary notwithstanding art vi cl accordingly long settled state laws conflict federal law without effect maryland louisiana mcculloch maryland wheat see also gade national solid wastes management nder supremacy clause doctrine derived state law however clearly within state acknowledged power interferes contrary federal law must yield internal quotation marks omitted even absence express provision found state law impliedly impossible private party comply state federal requirements english general elec see also florida lime avocado growers paul holding federal exclusion state law inescapable requires inquiry congressional design compliance federal state regulations physical impossibility one engaged interstate commerce instant case impossible mutual comply duty strengthen warnings sulindac label duty alter sulindac label accordingly state law begin identifying petitioner duties state law initial matter respondent wrong asserting purpose new hampshire designdefect cause action compensatory regulatory brief respondent rather new hampshire cause action imposes affirmative duties manufacturers respondent correct new hampshire adopted doctrine strict liability tort set forth section restatement second torts see restatement second torts hereinafter restatement see buttrick arthur lessard sons restatement consequently new hampshire tort law ne sells product defective condition unreasonably dangerous user consumer property subject liability physical harm thereby caused even though exercised possible care preparation sale product restatement respondent argument conflates call regime liability depend negligence still signals breach duty call regime liability reflect breach duties merely serves spread risk new hampshire adopted former latter indeed new hampshire consistently held product duty design product reasonably safely uses foresee thibault sears roebuck see also reid spadone mach new hampshire manufacturer general duty design product reasonably safely uses foresee internal quotation marks omitted chellman ab duty warn part general duty design manufacture sell products reasonably safe foreseeable uses cf simoneau south bend lathe limit application strict tort liability jurisdiction continuing emphasize liability without negligence liability without fault price bic cautioning term dangerous interpreted broadly impose absolute liability manufacturers make insurers products accordingly respondent incorrect arguing new hampshire system imposes substantive duties manufacturers brief respondent new hampshire tort law imposes duty manufacturers clear determining content duty requires somewhat analysis discussed greater detail new hampshire requires manufacturers ensure products design manufacture sell unreasonably dangerous new hampshire recognized duty satisfied either changing drug design changing labeling since mutual option changing sulindac design new hampshire law ultimately required change sulindac labeling respondent argues even new hampshire law impose duty drug manufacturers duty encompass either duty change sulindac design duty change sulindac labeling brief respondent capitalization emphasis deleted argument correct new hampshire imposes liability design product created defective condition unreasonably dangerous user vautour body masters sports industries chellman supra determine whether product unreasonably dangerous new hampshire employs approach product defective designed magnitude danger outweighs utility product vautour supra internal quotation marks omitted approach requires multifaceted balancing process involving evaluation many conflicting factors ibid internal quotation marks omitted see also thibault supra set factors considered ultimately open one new hampshire repeatedly identified three factors germane inquiry usefulness desirability product public whole whether risk danger reduced without significantly affecting either product effectiveness manufacturing cost presence efficacy warning avoid unreasonable risk harm hidden dangers foreseeable uses vautour supra see also price supra chellman supra drug context either increasing usefulness product reducing risk danger require redesigning drug drug usefulness risk danger direct results chemical design saliently active ingredients see cfr active ingredient means component intended furnish pharmacological activity direct effect diagnosis cure mitigation treatment prevention disease affect structure function body humans italics deleted present case however redesign possible two reasons first fdca requires generic drug active ingredients route dosage form strength labeling drug based ii cfr consequently appeals correct recognize mutual legally make sulindac another composition indeed mutual change composition sulindac altered chemical new drug require nda marketed interstate commerce see cfr giving examples fda considers drug new including cases involving newness drug use substance composes drug whole part second sulindac simple composition drug chemically incapable redesigned see mutual legally make sulindac another composition apparent alter drug anyway given impossibility redesigning sulindac way mutual ameliorate drug profile thus escape liability strengthen presence efficacy sulindac warning way warning avoid ed unreasonable risk harm hidden dangers foreseeable uses vautour supra see also chellman duty warn part general duty design manufacture sell products reasonably safe foreseeable uses design product makes warning necessary avoid unreasonable risk harm foreseeable use lack warning ineffective warning causes product defective unreasonably dangerous citation omitted thus new hampshire cause action imposed duty mutual strengthen sulindac warnings reasons unsurprising allegations sulindac label inadequate featured prominently trial respondent introduced evidence label mutual sulindac time injuries label revised respondent suffered injuries app counsel opening statement informed jury evidence show sulindac unreasonably dangerous inadequate warning well hear much evidence label inadequate relation case tr district repeatedly instructed jury evaluate sulindac labeling determining whether mutual sulindac unreasonably dangerous see app jury instruction jury find defect design found sulindac unreasonably dangerous warning present effective avoid unreasonable danger ibid jury instruction design defect exists warning present effective avoid unreasonable danger finally district clarified order opinion denying mutual motion judgment matter law adequacy sulindac labeling part jury instructed consider supp jury found risks outweighed benefits consider whether warning regardless adequacy risks extent eliminated unreasonable danger thus accordance new hampshire law jury presented evidence relevant instructed consider whether mutual fulfilled duty label sulindac adequately render drug unreasonably dangerous holding mutual liable jury determined mutual breached duty duty imposed federal law far readily apparent pliva made clear federal law prevents generic drug manufacturers changing labels see slip federal drug regulations interpreted fda prevented manufacturers independently changing generic drugs safety labels see also labeling proposed new drug labeling approved approved drug cfr iii approval generic drug may withdrawn generic drug label longer consistent drug thus federal law prohibited mutual taking remedial action required avoid liability new hampshire law federal law forbids action state law requires state law without effect maryland impossible mutual similarly situated manufacturers comply state federal new hampshire cause action respect drugs sold interstate iv appeals reasoned mutual escape impossibility complying duties choos ing make sulindac reject rationale incompatible jurisprudence cases presume actor seeking satisfy obligations required cease acting altogether order avoid liability indeed option ceasing act defeated claim impossibility impossibility meaningless slip incoherence theory becomes plain viewed lens previous cases every instance found impossibility direct conflict duties easily avoided regulated actor simply ceased acting pliva obvious example discussed pliva held state claims fdca impossible drug manufacturers like pliva comply duty label products way rendered reasonably safe duty change drugs labels slip course possible drug manufacturers like pliva pull products market altogether avoided liability state federal law manufacturers neither labeled products way rendered unsafe impermissibly changed federally approved label concluding impossible manufacturers comply duty change label federal law duty keep label slip undeterred prospect pliva complied state federal requirements simply leaving market appeals decision found mensing claims escaped based rationale first circuit relied case see mensing wyeth eneric defendants compelled market metoclopramide realized label insufficient simply stopped selling product moreover mensing advanced rationale petition rehearing denied pliva supra pet nonetheless squarely determined impossible pliva comply state federal duties slip adopting first circuit rationale mean pliva also vast majority cases found impossibility wrongly decided prospect regulated actor avoid liability state federal law simply leaving market undermine impossibility analysis pliva irrelevant analysis dreadful injuries products liabilities cases arise often engender passionate responses today exception justice sotomayor dissent hereinafter dissent illustrates sympathy respondent relieve us responsibility following law dissent accuses us incorrectly assuming federal law gives pharmaceutical companies right sell federally approved drug free liability post make assumption rather discussed length see supra hold claims like new hampshire place duty manufacturers render drug safer either altering composition altering labeling conflict federal laws prohibit manufacturers unilaterally altering drug composition labeling dissent quite correct federal law establishes drug companies prevent taking certain remedial measures state law imposes duty take remedial measures actual ly conflict federal law making private party comply state federal requirements freightliner myrick quoting english dissent seems acknowledge point concedes federal law requires particular product label include complete list ingredients state law specifically forbids labeling practice little question state law yield post quoting felder casey dissent see case federal law requires specific label sulindac state law forbids use label dissent responds new hampshire law merely create incentive alter sulindac label composition post impose actual legal obligation post contours argument difficult discern perhaps dissent drawing distinction exposure liability post statutory legal mandate ibid distinction common law statutory law irrelevant argument hand violating duty surely violating statutory duty party contravenes law true certain sense duties give manufacturer choice exiting market continuing sell knowing may pay compensation consumers injured product post statutory mandate precisely thing require manufacturer choose leaving market accepting consequences actions form fine sanction see generally calabresi melamed property rules liability rules inalienability one view cathedral harv rev discussing liability rules event pliva dissent agrees involved requirement conflicted federal law post dealt claims see pliva supra slip pliva controls instant case dissent reduced fighting rearguard action reasoning despite ostensibly swearing fealty holding suggest bates dow agrosciences llc contrary simply misleading dissent correct bates held texas claim claim question requirement labeling thus fell outside class claims covered express provision issue case emphasis original indeed contrary impression one might draw dissent post bates actually blessed lower determination state claim imposed requirement appeals however correctly hold term reaches beyond positive enactments statutes regulations embrace duties bates supra dissent offers compelling reason duty case similarly viewed requirement agree course determining precisely specific requirement state claim imposes important post bates makes clear proper inquiry calls examination elements duty issue call speculation whether jury verdict prompt take particular action citation omitted tried make clear duty ensure one products unreasonably dangerous imposed new hampshire cause action vautour involves duty make one several changes cases impossible fact law alter product design thus increase product usefulness decrease risk danger duty render product reasonably safe boils duty ensure presence efficacy warning avoid unreasonable risk harm hidden dangers foreseeable uses duty redesign sulindac label thus part duty issue merely action mutual might prompted take adverse jury verdict finally dissent laments ignored congress explicit efforts preserve state liability post suffice say welcome congress explicit resolution difficult questions arise prescription drug context issue repeatedly vexed produced widely divergent views recent years see wyeth levine pliva dissent concedes however fdca treatment prescription drugs includes neither express clause vaccine context express clause drug context absence sort explicit expression congressional intent left divine congress duties statute imposes federal law forbids mutual take actions required state tort law evinces intent case arises tragic circumstances combination factors combined produce rare devastating injuries respondent suffered fda decision approve sale sulindac warnings accompanied drug time prescribed decision respondent physician prescribe sulindac despite known risks congress decision regulate manufacture sale generic drugs way reduces cost patients leaves generic drug manufacturers incapable modifying either drugs compositions warnings respondent situation tragic evokes deep sympathy straightforward application law requires judgment reversed ordered breyer dissenting mutual pharmaceutical company petitioner karen bartlett writ certiorari appeals first circuit june justice breyer justice kagan joins dissenting literally impossible company like petitioner comply conflicting state federal law company comply either business relevant state paying state penalty say damages failing comply tort standard see post sotomayor dissenting conflicting state law requires company withdraw state pay sizable damages remedy order avoid conflict state federal law may nonetheless obstacle accomplishment federal law objective case relevant state law post quoting crosby national foreign trade normally reasons set forth medtronic lohr opinion concurring part concurring judgment deciding whether conflict pay particular attention views relevant agency food drug administration fda statute contains clear command courts may infer administrative agency degree leeway determine extent governing statutes rules regulations administrative actions effect see citing smiley citibank south dakota hillsborough county automated medical laboratories lawrence county school dist chevron natural resources defense council see also wyeth levine cf skidmore swift fda responsible administering relevant federal statutes question may call considerable expertise indeed one might infer medically valuable drug less likely congress intended permit state drive marketplace time agency develop informed position question providing interested parties opportunity present views translate understandings particular intentions accompanying various rules regulations communicate intentions statements preambles interpretive statements responses comments medtronic supra opinion breyer quoting supra however give special weight fda views one thing far briefing reveals fda developing views held hearings matter solicited opinions arguments views public ways another thing fda set forth positions briefs filed litigation regulations interpretations similar agency work product see bowen georgetown univ hospital gency litigating positions wholly unsupported regulations rulings administrative practice entitled less ordinary weight cf christensen harris county finally fda set forth conflicting views general matter different briefs filed different times compare wyeth supra noting fda previously found argued new position entitled deference pliva mensing slip declining defer argument instead finding brief amicus curiae arguing see national cable telecommunications assn brand internet services agency views vary time accorded less weight motor vehicle mfrs assn state farm mut automobile ins verizon communications fcc without giving agency views special weight conclude impossible petitioner comply state federal regulatory schemes federal regulatory scheme state common law read potentially requiring petitioner pay damages leave market two former fda commissioners tell us fda long believed state tort litigation supplemen agency regulatory enforcement activities brief donald kennedy et al amici curiae see also wyeth supra keeping congress decision tort suits appears fda traditionally regarded state law complementary form drug regulation moreover unlike federal statute issue medtronic statute us contains general clause see cf wyeth supra presence clause show congress thought suits posed obstacle objectives furthermore found convincing reason believe removing particular drug new hampshire market requiring damage payments harmful seriously undercut purposes federal statutory scheme cf post finally similarly situated defendants cases remain free argue obstacle respect damage payments market withdrawal demonstrate type conflict particular cases might create true incompatibility state federal regulatory schemes reasons respectfully dissent sotomayor dissenting mutual pharmaceutical company petitioner karen bartlett writ certiorari appeals first circuit june justice sotomayor justice ginsburg joins dissenting pliva mensing expanded scope impossibility immunize generic drug manufacturers claims today unnecessarily unwisely extends holding mensing new hampshire law governing respect generic drugs takes step concluding petitioner mutual pharmaceutical held liable claim disguise even though district clearly rejected claim instead allowed liability distinct theory see infra greater consequence appears justify revision respondent karen bartlett claim undefended assumption federal law gives pharmaceutical companies right sell federally approved drug free liability remarkably derives proposition federal law order protect consumers prohibits manufacturers distributing new drugs commerce without federal regulatory approval specifically disavows intent displace state law absent direct positive conflict karen bartlett grievously injured drug jury found unreasonably dangerous jury relied upon evidence drug posed higher normal risk causing serious skin reaction produced horrific injuries carried risks possessed apparent offsetting benefits compared similar pain relievers like aspirin see supp nh laments tragic situation ante responsibility fact karen bartlett deprived remedy injuries rests established principles properly applied case new hampshire law correctly construed federal law pose barrier karen bartlett recovery dissent begin two cornerstones jurisprudence wyeth levine control case conspicuously absent majority opinion first purpose congress ultimate touchstone every case ibid quoting medtronic lohr second start assumption historic police powers superseded federal act unless clear manifest purpose congress rice santa fe elevator assumption explained applies particular force case congress legislated field traditionally occupied altria group good applied principles food drug cosmetic act fdca ch stat amended et levine held state claim drug manufacturer federal law tracing history federal drug regulation federal food drugs act stat fdca major amendments explained federal drug law state liability long understood operate tandem promote consumer safety see levine basic principle majority opinion elides essential understanding case fdca prohibits introduction interstate commerce new drug without prior approval food drug administration fda generic drug manufacturers required make different showings receive agency approval premarketing review process see ante either case fda permission market drug never regarded final stamp approval drug safety fdca manufacturers greater access information drugs fda levine retain ultimate responsibility safety products sell addition ongoing obligations monitor drug risks report adverse drug responses fda see cfr manufacturers may sell drug deemed misbranded dangerous health used dosage manner called drug label see brief amicus curiae hereinafter brief indicating misbranding prohibition may apply drug previously approved sale significant new scientific evidence demonstrates drug unsafe beyond federal requirements state common law plays important complementary role federal drug regulation levine federal law area initially intended supplemen protection consumers already provided state regulation liability congress enlarged fda powers took care preserve state law amendments fdca established fda premarketing review modern form congress adopted saving clause providing amendments construed invalidate provision state law absent direct positive conflict stat years since state suits ing unabated fda regulation levine quoting riegel medtronic ginsburg dissenting congress enacted provision prescription drugs whether generic even enacted provisions respect products regulated congress preservation role state law generally remedies specifically reflects realistic understanding limitations ex ante federal review context even rigorous preapproval clinical testing drugs generally incapable detecting adverse effects occur infrequently long latency periods affect subpopulations included adequately represented studies kessler vladeck critical examination fda efforts preempt claims geo see national academies institute medicine future drug safety promoting protecting health public hereinafter future drug safety discussing limitations inherent system premarket clinical trials moreover fda tasked monitoring thousands drugs market considering new drug applications faces significant resource constraints limit ability protect public dangerous drugs see levine brief former fda commissioner donald kennedy et al amici curiae tort suits help fill gaps federal regulation serv ing catalyst identify previously unknown drug dangers bates dow agrosciences llc perhaps significant state common law provides injured consumers like karen bartlett seek redress available federal law nlike administrative legislative regulations claims necessarily perform important role compensating accident victims sprietsma mercury marine always consistent issue repeatedly cautioned reading federal statutes remove means judicial recourse injured congress provide federal remedy silkwood see bates lohr plurality opinion fact legislative history fdca suggests congress chose create federal cause action damages precisely believed state tort law allow injured consumers obtain compensation see levine ii light background mutual face uphill climb show federal law new hampshire claim generic drug manufacturer defective design majority nevertheless accepts mutual argument compliance federal state law physical impossibility florida lime avocado growers paul see ante state law properly understood clear new hampshire claim impose legal obligation mutual violate federal law satisfy impossibility demanding defense requires defendant show irreconcilable conflict federal state legal obligations silkwood logic underlying true impossibility state federal law impose irreconcilable affirmative requirements detailed inquiry congressional necessary inference congress intended federal law displace conflicting state requirement inescapable florida lime example federal law requires particular product label include complete list ingredients state law specifically forbids labeling practice little question state law must yield felder casey key inquiry impossibility identify whether state federal law impose directly conflicting affirmative legal obligations state law require act unlawful federal law california fed sav loan assn guerra impossibility exist laws one sovereign permit activity laws sovereign restricts even prohibits see barnett bank marion nelson michigan canners freezers agricultural marketing bargaining modify previous example federal law permitted require labeling practice state law prohibited irreconcilable conflict manufacturer comply stringent regulation logic impossibility exist one sovereign laws merely create incentive take action sovereign authorized possible comply laws course types courts may find state laws incentivize federal law discourages forbid federal law authorizes reasons apart impossibility state laws may fall within scope express provision pose obstacle federal purposes objectives intrude upon field congress intended federal law occupy exclusively see crosby national foreign trade council absent direct conflict two mutually incompatible legal requirements impossibility courts may automatically assume congress intended state law give way instead careful inquiry congressional intent called inquiry informed presumption keeping strict standard impossibility cases actually find basis rare see abrams plenary power preemption rev mensing outlier found impossibility generic drug manufacturer strengthen product label come line duty warn without exercise judgment fda see slip nothing mensing precedent dictates finding impossibility assess whether physically impossible mutual comply federal state law necessary identify precision relevant legal obligations imposed new hampshire cause action majority insists mutual required new hampshire law strengthen warning label taking position majority effectively bartlett claim de facto claim majority relies hold jury found mutual liable failing fulfill duty label sulindac adequately mensing forbids generic drug manufacturer independently alter safety label ante see mensing slip majority assertion mutual held liable case violating legal obligation change label inconsistent new hampshire state law record part mutual addition making argument embraced majority contends new hampshire law effectively required change chemical composition sulindac mutual claims physically impossible comply duty consistent federal law drug manufacturers may change chemical composition products create new drugs without submitting new drug application fda approval see cfr new hampshire law impose legal obligation mutual change label also mandate mutual change drug design following blackletter products liability law restatement second torts hereinafter second restatement new hampshire recognizes strict liability three different types product defects manufacturing defects design defects warning defects see cheshire medical center grace district granted mutual summary judgment bartlett claim new hampshire cause action remains issue case product defective design new hampshire law poses unreasonable dangers consumers thibault sears roebuck determine whether product unreasonably dangerous jury asked make assessment considering nonexhaustive list factors see ante addition new specifically rejected doctrine advocated restatement third torts products liability hereinafter third restatement plaintiff must present evidence reasonable alternative design show product design defective instead proof alternative design relevant design defect case neither controlling factor essential element vautour body masters sports industries jurisdictions declined apply liability prescription drugs new hampshire common many jurisdictions subject prescriptions drugs distinct form strict products liability see citing brochu ortho pharmaceutical see also third restatement comment collecting cases jurisdictions drug manufacturers new hampshire affirmative defense comment second restatement exempts navoidably unsafe products strict liability product properly manufactured labeled explained lower courts case see supp nh new hampshire takes approach comment defendant seeking invoke defense must first show product highly useful imposed product avoided feasible alternative design see brochu comment factor jury assessment liability case mutual abandoned comment defense trial ante claim applied mutual subjects manufacturer unreasonably dangerous product liability require manufacturer take specific action forbidden federal law specifically contrary majority see ante new hampshire law require mutual change warning label drug warning label one factor nonexclusive list evaluating whether drug unreasonably dangerous see vautour adequate label therefore neither necessary sufficient avoiding liability likewise new hampshire law imposed duty mutual change sulindac chemical composition new hampshire held proof alternative design element claim see kelleher marvin lumber cedar majority recognizes ante sulindac realistically capable redesigned anyway sure new hampshire claim creates incentive drug manufacturers make changes product including drug label try avoid liability respondent overstates case somewhat suggests new hampshire law purely compensatory see brief respondent typically true regimes new hampshire law mandates compensation defective products serves compensatory regulatory purposes see heath sears roebuck exposure liability incidental regulatory effects flow exposure goodyear atomic miller equivalent legal mandate regulated party take refrain taking specific action difference significant one mandate leaves choice party wishes comply law whereas incentive may influence choice cases reflect distinction bates rejected argument claims brought pesticide manufacturer likely induce manufacturer change product label thus run afoul express provision forbidding state labeling requirements different addition federal requirements requirement explained rule law must obeyed event jury verdict merely motivates optional decision rise level fact imposing strict liability injuries caused defective drug design might make drug manufacturer want change label design mean manufacturer actually required state law take either action absent legal obligation majority impossibility argument get ground state requirement physically impossible mutual comply also following federal law case therefore unlike mensing undisputed applicable state tort law require drug manufacturer aware product danger strengthen label requirement conflicted federal law preventing manufacturer slip new hampshire law require anything compensate consumers injured unreasonably dangerous drug moreover trial record case confirms majority insistence mutual held liable breach ing duty label sulindac adequately ante bartlett filed suit mutual raised distinct claims based design defect failure warn app see supp nh pursuing claims consistent new hampshire law recognition design defect failure warn claims separate leblanc american honda motor district granted summary judgment mutual claim repeatedly explained alleged failure warn mutual provide basis bartlett recovery see supp majority notes district admitted evidence regarding sulindac label ante label remained relevant limited purpose assessing combination factors whether sulindac design defective product unreasonably dangerous see district instructions jury adhered limited purpose first told jury determine whether sulindac unreasonably dangerous weighing danger utility app instructed jury determined sulindac unreasonably dangerous without reference warning label consider presence efficacy label evaluate whether product unreasonably dangerous even warning words hold mutual liable jury required find sulindac unreasonably dangerous despite warning district also explained jury bartlett claim addressed whether sulindac design defective mutual conduct included failure change warning relevant case supp distinction drawn district permissible impermissible uses evidence regarding sulindac label faithful new hampshire law law recognizes effectiveness warning label one relevant factor determining whether product design unreasonably dangerous claims separate leblanc short district made clear mutual held liable failing change warning given distinction new hampshire draws claims claims well clear repeated statements trial judge mutual liability predicated breaching duty label sulindac adequately basis majority reach contrary conclusion though majority insists otherwise ante appears rely principally implicit assumption rights conferred federal premarket approval fdca correctly observing changing sulindac chemical composition create new drug go approval process majority reasons mutual must duty change label option avoid liability continuing sell product ante conclusion based false premise manufacturer drug unreasonably dangerous new hampshire law multiple options change drug design label effort alter profile remove drug market pay compensation cost business federal law drug chemical properties take redesign option table mean manufacturer suddenly legal obligation state law improve drug label indeed view state law makes little sense even mutual strengthened label fully account sulindac risks company might still faced liability defective design see thibault explaining strict liability may attach even though adequate warning manufacturer change label make drug safe manufacturer may still choose exiting market continuing sell knowing may pay compensation consumers injured manufacturer perspective may choice choice sovereign state may impose protect citizens dangerous drugs least ensure seriously injured consumers receive compensation state may impose choice unless fdca gives manufacturers absolute right sell products free liability state law otherwise stands obstacle accomplishment federal objectives crosby internal quotation marks omitted majority rely obstacle must believe manufacturer received fda premarket approval right keep drug market unless fda revokes approval also free liability makes expensive proposition fundamentally inconsistent fdca text structure saving clause see supra levine thomas concurring judgment simply incorrect say federal law presupposes drug manufacturers right continue sell drug free liability approved nothing language fdca framed prohibition distribution without fda approval see suggests right federal law bars sale previously approved drugs new information comes light demonstrating drug dangerous health thus misbranded see see supra even outside scenario manufacturers regularly take drugs market evidence emerges drug risks particularly safer drugs provide therapeutic benefits according fda formal authority withdraw approval drug based new adverse information see far common manufacturer stop selling product voluntarily fda advises manufacturer drug unsafe profile adequately addressed labeling changes measures see brief new hampshire cause action thus provide impetus action permitted sometimes encouraged even required federal law majority derides suggestion mutual ability stop selling sulindac relevant validity impossibility defense ante majority argument built mistaken premise mutual legally obligated new hampshire law modify label way federal law forbids see supra reason rejecting impossibility render doctrine dead letter meaningless ante quoting mensing slip hand majority work revolution impossibility case law ante inferring requirement steps manufacturer might wish take avoid mitigate exposure liability products made safe sale improved warning tweak design new hampshire law made judgment drugs initially approved distribution turn inherently unreasonably dangerous therefore sold unless manufacturer willing compensate injured consumers congressional intent cause action gleaned existence federal specifications apply product sold instead whether new hampshire depends assessing whether poses obstacle federal policy approve sulindac use yet skips analysis instead finds impossibility exist relying assumption congress intended mutual way continue selling sulindac without incurring liability see ante distinction impossibility obstacle important one obstacle abused courts apply overly broad conception relevant federal purpose find see levine thomas concurring judgment useful framework case like one least lead ask right questions example properly evaluating asserted conflict lens obstacle allow consider evidence whether congress intended fda make optimal safety determination set maximum safety standard case state tort law undermine purpose rather minimal safety threshold case state tort law supplement see williamson mazda motor america slip contrast majority overbroad impossibility framework takes account federal drug safety review actually works though majority gestures rigorous nature fda review new drug ante nothing majority reasoning turns fda premarketing review operates agency capacity engage postmarketing review taking approach majority replaces careful assessment regulatory structure ipse dixit pharmaceutical companies must way escape liability ante continuing sell drug received fda approval result effectively makes highly contested policy judgment relationship fda review state tort law treating fda sole guardian drug safety without defending judgment without whether policy judgment congress iii majority never addresses obstacle mutual argue alternative bartlett cause action conflicts purposes objectives fdca supplemented act stat though presents closer question impossibility argument majority relies reject mutual obstacle defense well mutual substantial contention new claim frustrates policy fdca broader scheme vesting authority fda expert agency determine drug designs enter remain interstate commerce fda amicus brief filed generally supports argument fda question whether difficult close recognizes everal factors weigh favor finding preemption including absence textual support fdca idea approved drug must made available particular state see brief fda ultimately contends claims unless parallel fdca misbranding prohibition agency permitting juries balance health risks benefits drug undermine fda determinations reduce access drugs fda determined safe effective cases given weight agency views impact tort law federal objectives subject matter technica relevant history background complex extensive levine quoting geier american honda motor courts defe agency conclusion state law tension fda identifies effort justify complete claims prescription drugs satisfy high threshold must met state law conflicting purposes federal act chamber commerce america whiting slip internal quotation marks omitted see silkwood given fdca core purpose protecting consumers recognition levine state tort law generally complements statute safety goals practical limits fda ability monitor promptly address concerns drug safety drug market see supra absence federal remedy injured consumers reject broad obstacle argument iv troubling aspect majority decision expand scope traditionally narrow impossibility doctrine implies relationship federal premarket review state remedies generally central majority holding assumption manufacturers must way avoid keeping particular products commerce see ante assumption seems always create automatic conflict federal premarket review requirement liability premarket review definition prevents manufacturers unilaterally changing products true example designs chemical composition drugs fdca less generic drugs see ante creation automatic conflict ultimate majority continued expansion impossibility result frankly astonishing congress adopted fdca premarketing approval requirement strengthened response serious episodes involving unsafe drugs see future drug safety yet majority lights act creating requirement order safeguard consumer sullivan also created operation law shield drug manufacturers avoid paying damages state laws also designed protect consumers notwithstanding congress effort disclaim intent state law see supra majority reasoning thus effect granting broad immunity entire industry judgment congress needed stringent regulation riegel ginsburg dissenting quoting lohr plurality opinion expanded notion impossibility threatens disturb considerable amount state law fdca premarket approval process prescription drugs provided model regulation many statutes congress paired premarket regulatory review express provisions limit application state remedies including instances claims defective product design see riegel see supra instances prescription drugs majority approach appears claims categorically displaced either way congress efforts set boundaries precisely largely academic serious consequences product safety state laws play important role discovering risks also providing manufacturers remove dangerous products market promptly see levine bates see also conk design defect restatement third torts products liability yale tort system encourage fda regulatory vigor competence manufacturers products require preapproval given de facto immunity liability public rely exclusively imperfect federal agencies limited resources sometimes limited legal authority recall approved products consumers injured products recourse manner congress addressed respect vaccines particularly instructive accines subject federal premarket approval process prescription drugs prior congress intervention compensation injuries ha left largely bruesewitz wyeth llc slip response rise tort suits produced instability vaccine market congress enacted national childhood vaccine injury act vaccine act act established compensation program funded excise tax vaccines compensate individuals injured killed vaccine side effects quid pro quo system stated bruesewitz provision significant protections vaccine manufacturers slip members disagreed scope tort protections vaccine act intended offer act history demonstrates congress perfectly capable responding believes state tort law may compromise significant federal objectives scheme premarket regulatory review products wants make available illustrates important reason require preemption decisions made congress rather courts basis expanded implied doctrine congress ability tie decisions alternative means securing compensation metzger federalism agency reform colum rev instead reaching find context congress never intended majority leaves consumers like karen bartlett bear enormous losses recognizes case arises tragic circumstances ante doubt members majority personally feel sympathy karen bartlett solemn affirmation merely discharges duty follo law ante gives effect congress policy judgment rather hard accept expanding scope impossibility turns congress intent head arrives holding irreconcilable precedents result left seriously injured consumer without remedy despite congress explicit efforts preserve state liability respectfully dissent footnotes thus save another day question whether true system give rise impossibility noted causes action negligence strict liability exist merely spread risk rather impose affirmative duties see riegel medtronic medtronic lohr five justices concluded causes action negligence strict liability impose federal requirements specific medical device adhere view absent indication reference state includes duties plurality opinion said cipollone liggett group liability existence legal duty tort judgment therefore establishes defendant violated obligation mutual liability turned adequacy sulindac warnings unusual rather new hampshire like large majority adopted comment restatement second torts recognizes especially common field drugs products incapable made safe intended ordinary use restatement bellotte zayre comment uch product properly prepared accompanied proper directions warning defective unreasonably dangerous restatement previously noted large number courts took comment mean manufacturers face strict liability side effects properly manufactured prescription drugs accompanied adequate warnings bruesewitz wyeth slip mutual withdrew comment defense purposes trial matter defendant notice withdrawal defenses case nh however noted respondent trial injected broader question adequacy sulindac label trial proceedings justice breyer argues literally impossible mutual comply state federal law escape liability either business relevant state paying state penalty say damages failing comply tort standard post dissenting opinion infra leaving aside rare case state federal law actually requires product pulled market cases presume manufacturer ability stop selling turn impossibility possibility see florida lime avocado growers paul impossibility dual compliance federal orders forbade picking marketing avocado testing oil california test excluded state avocado measuring less oil content course pliva mensing forecloses argument impossibility defeated prospect manufacturer pa state penalty violating duty prospect defeated impossibility pliva well see slip impossible manufacturers comply duty change label federal law duty keep label hold otherwise render impossibility meaningless slip address state claims parallel federal misbranding statute misbranding statute requires pull even drug market dangerous health even used dosage manner frequency duration prescribed recommended suggested labeling thereof cf bates dow agrosciences llc pesticide labeling requirement express provision provided equivalent fully consistent federal misbranding provisions parties government appear agree drug misbranded federal law liability based new scientifically significant information fda jury asked find whether new evidence concerning sulindac made available fda rendered sulindac dangerous misbranded federal misbranding statute misbranding provision applicable cf supp nh respondent experts testimony drawn directly medical literature published fda analyses respondent attempts distinguish case pliva arguing pliva state law imposes affirmative duty manufacturer improve product label suspending sales comply duty merely offers indirect means avoiding liability noncompliance duty brief respondent difference purely semantic duty pliva amend metoclopramide label easily phrased duty sell drug without adequate warnings least state imposes liability based balancing product harms benefits light labeling rather directly prohibiting product sale mere fact manufacturer may avoid liability leaving market defeat claim impossibility footnotes majority failure adhere presumption well illustrated fact majority calls congress provide greater clarity regard difficult questions arise prescription drug context ante certainly clear direction congress questions useful whole point presumption congressional ambiguity cut favor preserving state autonomy see rice santa fe elevator see medical devices labeling requirements nonprescription drugs labeling packaging requirements cosmetics vaccines instructively congress included saving clause statutes addressing nonprescription drugs cosmetics makes clear express provisions statutes affect state product liability law see though majority rely comment find misleadingly implies new hampshire like large majority applied comment categorically prescription drugs exempt manufacturers liability side effects properly manufactured prescription drugs accompanied warnings ante quoting bruesewitz wyeth llc slip incorrect majority also neglects mention courts applied comment categorically prescription drug designs ost courts stated justification giving prescription drug manufacturers blanket immunity strict liability comment american law products liability like new hampshire courts courts apply comment basis see frumer friedman products liability pp feature new hampshire law unnecessary consider whether analysis differ jurisdiction required proof feasible alternative design element liability majority suggests account bates simply misleading ante simply misses point recognize precedents duties may qualify requirements least term used express provisions federal law see riegel medtronic determining precisely specific requirement state claim imposes important bates lower accepted basic argument majority advances plaintiffs claim pesticide unreasonably dangerous merely disguised claim failure warn success claim pesticide dangerous crops soil certain ph level necessarily induce manufacturer change product label avoid liability dow agrosciences llc bates explicitly rejected notion liability might lead manufacturer make label change meant state claim imposed requirement labeling packaging see majority contends case different duty redesign sulindac label element new hampshire law ante see supra rather altering product label merely one step manufacturer might take prevent product considered unreasonably dangerous step new hampshire law recognizes may insufficient see infra example ruling proposed jury instructions district made clear bartlett allowed circumvent summary judgment ruling using sulindac warning establish drug unreasonably dangerous arguing sulindac unreasonably dangerous warning already ruled inadequacy warning cause bartlett injuries app explained effectively turn case back case rendering summary judgment ruling meaningless ibid district later told counsel removed instruction jury instructions failure warn case admonished counsel tread arguing warning label label adequacy issue jury extent majority believes district practice allowed adequacy warning label play greater role trial see ante irrelevant question statements counsel even improper change state law cause action evaluate purposes appeals specifically concluded district jury instructions appropriate mutual wanted caution instructions concerning warning label mutual sought majority suggestion manufacturer option continuing sell paying compensation akin violating statutory mandate suffering consequence paying fine flawed see ante scenario manufacturer violated law fact law enforced monetary sanctions rather injunction imprisonment change matter many times majority insists otherwise manufacturer sells drug whose design found unreasonably dangerous based balance factors violated state law requiring change label cases manufacturer may owe money former failed follow law cf national federation independent business sebelius slip recognizing condition triggers tax necessarily legal command take certain action majority properly leaves open question whether state claims parallel federal misbranding statute see ante majority fails appreciate however statute undermines impossibility argument compared argument based obstacle shows federal right obligation continue sell drug like sulindac previously approved fact statute demonstrates sometimes drug manufacturer like mutual may federal duty sell drug see government accountability office drug safety improvement needed fda postmarket oversight process noting drugs voluntarily withdrawn safety reasons wysowski swartz adverse drug event surveillance drug withdrawals archives internal med noting drugs drug products withdrawn market safety reasons defending policy judgment treats fda exclusive guarantor drug safety easy task light evidence resource constraints gaps legal authority among factors limit agency ability safeguard public health see kessler vladeck critical examination fda efforts preempt claims geo see also wyeth levine fda purports address calls pure claim references third restatement way illustration fda separate discussion pure claim based premise new hampshire claim turns adequacy drug warning see brief incorrect see supra note confronted case fda promulgated lawful specific regulations describing whether circumstances state liability interferes safe medical care sought fdca levine breyer concurring see also ante breyer dissenting least creates automatic conflict caveat claims parallel federal duty manufacturers withdraw product might see ante see pesticides food additives animal drugs certain medical devices color additives