Actor tells House panel of newborn twins' overdose

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Actor Dennis Quaid testified before a House committee Wednesday, recounting an incident last year in which his newborn twins nearly died after receiving an overdose of blood-thinning medication at a Los Angeles hospital - the fault of a drug company that did not recall easily confused bottles despite previous problems, he said.

"Our newborn twins nearly died because of a drug company's failure to put safety first," Quaid said in a statement prepared for members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. His actual statement was abridged, as he and other witnesses were given a five-minute time limit on remarks.

The hearing focused on the issue of "pre-emption," under which FDA approval guarantees immunity for drug companies against state lawsuits, because federal law supersedes state law.

The Supreme Court is currently mulling the issue in a Vermont case. Oral arguments are expected in early October.