Suicide warning for anti-smoking drug

Federal officials warned Friday that a popular antismoking drug may be linked to suicides in some patients. The drug, called Chantix, has been used by more than 5 million patients as a smoking cessation aid, according to manufacturer Pfizer Inc. The drug will now carry new labels warning doctors and consumers of reports of suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Data about Zetia Risks was not Fully Revealed

New evidence shows that the drug makers Merck and Schering-Plough have conducted several studies of their popular cholesterol medicine Zetia that raise questions about its risks to the liver, but the companies have never published those results.

Lawyers Resolve Ethical Concerns In Vioxx Settlement

A federal judge overseeing a $4.85 billion settlement with Merck & Co. involving its withdrawn Vioxx painkiller expressed confidence Friday that lawyers have resolved ethical concerns about the agreement.

Vioxx Settlement Gaining Ground with 95 Percent of Plaintiffs Signing On

The pending Merck Vioxx settlement appears to be on track, as more than 95 percent of possible Vioxx claimants have signed on to Merck's $4.85 million settlement offer.

Dennis Quaid Files a Lawsuit that will get Attention

Dennis Quaid, has filed a lawsuit against Baxter International Inc. This lawsuit has received a great deal of attention and likely will put the company under more intense scrutiny because of Quaid's family being involved.

Vioxx Settlement Plan Heads for Key Deadlines

As deadlines near on the settlement Merck & Co. has proposed for cases related to its Vioxx painkiller, it looks highly likely enough plaintiffs will sign on to seal the deal.

The evolution of front airbags

Frontal-impact airbags are something we take for granted in today's automobiles. But today's front airbags differ radically from the airbags of 1996, the year they became a federally required safety feature. What's more, depending on the age and the brand of vehicle you're driving, you could have one of several types of front airbags -- all of which have different benefits and risks. And as we've all heard, some can be a serious danger to your child should he or she be sitting in the front seat during a collision.

Only Drugs That are Safe Should be Put on the Market

Drug developers are just beginning to come to grips with recent FDA oversight reforms and how they will affect drug safety.

Some Lawyers Seek Changes in Vioxx Settlement

Several plaintiffs' lawyers have asked the federal judge overseeing the $4.85 billion Vioxx settlement to give them the freedom to keep some of their clients outside the settlement.

Why Medical Authorities Cannot be Trusted

The reason the public has good reason to distrust the judgement of these medical authorities is because of their experience with them. It is a fact that the public has heard many similar assurances about other drugs, and used them to their lasting regret.