John Ritter doctors cleared in wrongful death lawsuit

It was reported today (March 14, 2008) that two doctors accused of negligence in the death of beloved actor John Ritter have been cleared of all charges by a Glendale, Calif., jury. The physicians, a cardiologist and a radiologist, were under fire in the diagnosis and treatment of the actor, who died of a torn aorta in 2003.

Dangerous skin reactions from Carbamazepine

A March 2008 FDA patient safety news bulletin reiterated warnings to healthcare professionals about dangerous and possibly fatal skin reactions to the drug carbamazepine in certain patient populations. Reactions include Stevens Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Vaccine settlement complex, may not be first

ATLANTA, Georgia (AP) -- For those convinced that vaccines can cause autism, the sad case of a Georgia girl, daughter of a doctor and lawyer, seems like clear-cut evidence. The government has agreed to pay the girl's family for injury caused by vaccines.

Vioxx settlement seems likely

More than 44,000 people have signed up for shares of a $4.85 billion settlement over the withdrawn painkiller Vioxx, a sign that the deal is on track to go forward, Merck & Co. announced Monday.

Merck Says 44K Sign for Vioxx Settlement

More than 44,000 people have signed up for shares of a $4.85 billion settlement over the withdrawn painkiller Vioxx, a sign that the deal is on track to go forward, Merck & Co. announced Monday. Of roughly 47,000 people who registered for the settlement earlier this year, more than 44,000 have submitted all or some of the paperwork necessary for enrollment in the deal, Merck said in a news release.

Baxter to proceed with recall of remaining heparin sodium vial products

DEERFIELD, Ill.,  - Baxter International Inc. announced today that the company is proceeding with the voluntary recall of all remaining lots and doses of its heparin sodium injection multi-dose, single-dose vials and HEP-LOCK heparin flush products.

Dark side of pill to help smokers kick habit

When Pfizer's anti-smoking pill Chantix came on the market 18 months ago, it was touted as more effective than existing treatments at helping break the deadly nicotine addiction. But the widespread use of the drug has led to unexpected side effects, possibly including suicidal behavior, raising concerns at the Food and Drug Administration and within the medical and smoking treatment communities.

Making heparin is a dirty job

Heparin sold by Baxter International in the U.S. has recently been associated with hundreds of adverse reactions and a few deaths. Scientific Protein Laboratories, Baxter's main supplier of the active ingredient in the blood thinner, says that the Yuan Intestine & Casing Factory isn't in its company's supply chain.

Many Unfavorable Drug Studies Aren't Published

Nearly a third of antidepressant drug studies are never published in the medical literature, and nearly all of those happen to show that the drug being tested failed to work.

Vioxx settlement update

As was reported previously, on November 9, 2007, Merck agreed to pay $4.85 billion dollars to settle the claims of persons who suffered a heart attack or stroke while taking the pain reliever, Vioxx.