HOUSTON, March 27, 2007 In an age when drug companies often find themselves on the receiving end of high-dollar lawsuits, people who work in the pharmaceutical industry may find themselves wishing they had a law degree. Thanks to a lecture series sponsored by the University of Houston Libraries and the UH College of Pharmacy, they'll soon get to hear from someone who does.

Benny Agosto Jr., a partner in the Houston-based law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Sorrels & Friend, will speak on "The Pharmaceutical Industry and the Law" at noon, Tuesday, April 3 in room 128 of Science & Research Building Two. Part of the "Today's Health" lecture series, the event is free and open to the public.

Agosto's talk will address developments in litigation, legislation and regulation involving the pharmaceutical industry. Topics will include product liability suits, wrongful death claims, patent infringement and Food and Drug Administration approval.

Agosto is the Region XII president of the Hispanic National Bar Association, a member of the Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee and a former president of the Mexican American Bar Association of Texas. A list of his recent accolades includes receiving the State Bar of Texas 2006 President's Certificate of Merit, the Houston Bar Association 2006 President's Award and the Houston Trial Lawyer's Association 2006 Mentor of the Year honor. He also has been named one of "Texas' Super Lawyers" by Texas Monthly Magazine.

Started in the fall of 2004, the "Today's Health" lecture series spotlights prominent area professionals who address topics of importance to UH pharmacy students in a way that is accessible to general audiences. Past topics have included the relationship between traditional and modern medicine, the difficulty of staying current on the risks and benefits of new drugs, the use of stem cells in regenerative medicine and the practice of using tailor-made medications based on an i
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Contact: Lisa Merkl
lkmerkl@uh.edu
713-743-8192
University of Houston
27-Mar-2007