News

July 16, 2008
Drug Combo Improves Remission of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Those on methotrexate-etanercept therapy 3 times less likely to have to stop working
Hip, Knee Replacements Do Ease Symptoms
People who undergo the surgery are usually happy they did, study finds
Drug May Ease Symptoms of Juvenile Arthritis
Flare-ups reduced, Italian study finds, but the trial methods are challenged
July 3, 2008
Lung Infections Cost Hospitals More Than $10B in 2006
Pneumonia second only to childbirth as most common reason for hospitalizations, analysis finds
June 28, 2008
Hip Replacement Boosts Mobility at Any Age
Study finds patients twice as likely to care for themselves, saves money in long run
June 27, 2008
Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Guidelines Updated
New rules called 'extensive' but not meant to crowd physicians' clinical judgment
June 25, 2008

Painkillers don't protect against melanoma
Lab evidence suggests that the class of painkillers known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) could play a role in preventing melanoma, but a large study has failed to find any evidence to support this possibility.

June 19, 2008

FDA Panel Recommends Enbrel for Pediatric Patients
But experts also express concern about psoriasis drug's possible risks for children; action follows agency warning that drug label needs strengthening

June 12, 2008
Golimumab Eases Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
Monthly shot plus weekly methotrexate even pushed some into remission, study says
June 5, 2008

NJ court dismisses Vioxx medical monitoring suit
The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that Vioxx users who suffered no known harm from the withdrawn pain drug cannot sue Merck & Co Inc to pay for medical tests and treatment by heart doctors, the drugmaker said on Wednesday.

FDA Starts Safety Review of Autoimmune Disorder Drugs
Reports of increased cancer risk among young users of TNF blockers prompts action
May 30, 2008

Merck says wins appeal on first Vioxx case
Merck & Co said on Thursday a Texas appeals court reversed a decision against the company in the first trial involving alleged injuries caused by its withdrawn Vioxx painkiller.

May 27, 2008
Cane Use May Cut Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis
Gait support translated into 10% average decrease in lateral load on joint, study finds
May 15, 2008

Appeals court overturns $7.75 mln Vioxx verdict
An appeals court in Texas overturned a $7.75 million verdict against Merck & Co involving its withdrawn pain drug Vioxx on Wednesday, ruling that evidence presented at trial failed to prove the medicine caused the heart attack suffered by the plaintiff's husband.

May 8, 2008
Arthritis Hits More Than Half of Diabetics
Painful joint condition hinders exercise that helps manage both conditions, experts say
April 29, 2008
New Worries Over Blockbuster Meds Avandia, Fosamax
Diabetes drug Avandia linked to fractures, while bone drug Fosamax is tied to irregular heartbeat
Epilepsy Drug Linked to Bone Loss
Women on Dilantin may want to consider other seizure medications, experts say
April 26, 2008
Chinese Ants Show Promise in Fighting Arthritis, Other Diseases
Extract may prove beneficial against hepatitis, bacterial infections, study suggests
April 17, 2008

Misleading medical research common: journal editor
Misleading research is often published in major medical journals and doctors are lending their names to it, the editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association said on Tuesday.

April 16, 2008

Vioxx studies often used "ghost authors"
A review of industry documents from the litigation surrounding Vioxx, the arthritis pain reliever that was withdrawn from the market by Merck, Inc. in 2004, reveals that clinical trials and review articles published about the drug were often written by company employees or other unacknowledged authors, while an academically affiliated investigator, who may have had little involvement with the study or who did not always disclose sponsor-related financial support, was listed as the primary author.

March 20, 2008
Fosamax Linked to Unusual Femur Fractures
Osteoporosis drug also linked to bone pain and irregular heartbeats in past research
March 19, 2008
Genetic Medicine Making Inroads Against Disease
Advances against PTSD, bone loss and heart woes cited in new research
February 21, 2008
Taking Multiple Pain Relievers May Cause Complications
Dual use of prescription, over-the-counter drugs raises risk of adverse side effects
January 25, 2008

Celebrex disrupts heart rhythm in fruit flies
Celebrex, an arthritis drug in the same class as the recalled painkiller Vioxx, caused irregular heartbeats in fruit flies and in heart cells taken from laboratory rats, U.S. researchers said on Friday.

Newer Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Lower Production of B Cells
Though millions take Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, mechanism behind medications was unclear
January 14, 2008
Low Testosterone Could Weaken Older Men's Bones
Study finds link between hormone, fracture in males over 60
December 11, 2007
Group Seeks Refinement of Knee Arthritis Treatment Guidelines
Changes should stress education, patient activity management interventions, review finds
December 3, 2007
Diabetes Drug Avandia Could Weaken Bones
Mouse study suggests it boosts production of bone-eroding cells
December 1, 2007
Study Probes Source of Knee Arthritis Pain
It's not based on damage to the knees' cushioning elements, study suggests
November 28, 2007
Criteria Predict Women's 5-Year Risk for Fracture
11-point model spots those who may need bone-strengthening therapies, experts say
'High-Trauma' Fractures Tied to Weak Bones
Bone-strengthening therapies could prevent these accident-linked injuries, research shows
November 17, 2007

Vioxx plaintiffs can settle or lose lawyer: report
An unusual provision in Merck & Co Inc's settlement agreement concerning the painkiller Vioxx means many plaintiffs may have little choice but to accept the deal, the Wall Street Journal said Friday in its online edition.

November 12, 2007
New Test Criteria Spots Rheumatoid Arthritis Sooner
Identifying patients earlier means intervention may be more effective, researchers say
November 10, 2007

Merck agrees to pay $4.85 bln in Vioxx settlement
Merck & Co has agreed to pay $4.85 billion to settle claims that its painkiller Vioxx caused heart attacks and strokes in thousands of users, the drugmaker said on Friday.

Total Knee Replacement Safe for Most Patients
It's not only cost-effective but benefits even high-risk cases, study finds
November 9, 2007
Botox Offers Shot in Arm for Arthritis Sufferers
Small trial found it eased shoulder pain caused by osteoarthritis
Vioxx Ban Tied to Rise in Serious GI Trouble
Without such stomach-shielding drugs, patient health has suffered, researchers say
Sticking With Meds Lowers Elderly Fracture Risk
Skipping osteoporosis drugs is top risk factor for injury, study finds
October 10, 2007
Tea Helps Toughen Older Women's Hips
Those who drink it daily lose less bone, study finds.
September 21, 2007
Post-Knee Replacement Physio Helps in Short Term
But gains in flexibility, quality of life don't last, data suggests
September 18, 2007

New York State, New York City sue Merck over Vioxx
The state and city of New York on Monday filed suit against Merck & Co Inc, claiming the drugmaker concealed the risks of the withdrawn arthritis treatment Vioxx.

Once-a-Year Bone Drug Lowers Fracture Risk
Reclast even caused death rate to fall in older users, study finds.
September 6, 2007

Merck wins reversal of Vioxx class-action status
Merck & Co Inc said on Thursday the New Jersey Supreme Court has reversed a lower court ruling that granted nationwide class-action status to insurers seeking reimbursement for past spending on Vioxx, the drugmaker's withdrawn arthritis treatment.

August 31, 2007
Swelling After Knee Injury May Hinder Healing
Pig study shows blocking 2 proteins could mean less invasive treatment of meniscus damage
August 23, 2007
Daily Calcium Does Protect Bone
Study finds it reduces fracture rate for those over 50.
August 15, 2007
Direct-to-Consumer Drug Ads Booming Despite Criticisms
Experts suggest a shutdown on such pitches to the public.
August 3, 2007
Age 100 No Bar to Hip Replacement
Other factors are more important when deciding on surgery, researchers say
July 30, 2007
Drug May Help Prevent Women's Osteoarthritis
Calcitonin is already used to fight age-linked bone loss, researchers say
July 26, 2007

Study says Vioxx danger begins earlier than stated
The increased heart risk from Vioxx, Merck & Co's withdrawn arthritis medicine, begins much earlier than after 18 months of use, according to a study that contradicts assertions by the drug maker and its scientists.

July 16, 2007
Women Slower to Recover From Knee Surgery
Osteoarthritis may also impede return to function, research shows
July 3, 2007

Vioxx short-term risk not seen in other data: lawyer
A lawyer who represents Merck & Co. in its litigation over Vioxx said on Tuesday that an unpublished study that reportedly shows heart risks with the withdrawn painkiller after short-term use is not supported by other data.

June 30, 2007
Glucosamine Trials Show Little Benefit Against Arthritis
Results vary widely between trials, suggesting industry bias, experts say.
June 26, 2007
Bisphosphonates Linked to Jawbone Disorder
Medications tied to bone deterioration in about 5% of cancer cases, study finds
June 25, 2007
Anti-Bone Loss Drugs Help Prevent Fractures
Another study finds women's estrogen levels affect osteoporosis treatment.
June 15, 2007
Lung Illness Linked to Heart, Bone Problems
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease speeds arterial stiffening and osteoporosis, research suggests.
June 7, 2007

Less money or new trial offered in Vioxx case - WSJ
A U.S. federal judge gave a plaintiff in a Vioxx product liability case a choice of a retrial or a significantly reduced award after ruling that compensatory damages awarded by a jury in his original trial were "grossly excessive," the Wall Street Journal reported.

May 25, 2007
Large Jolts of Java Can Keep Gout at Bay
Coffee lovers who drank more than four cups a day had a 40% lower risk of the inflammatory condition.
May 2, 2007
'Healthy Bones' Shot Could Cut Women's Fracture Risk
Once-a-year injection might replace pills, study suggests.
April 25, 2007
Health Tip: Dealing With Osteoarthritis
In addition to medication, lifestyle changes can help
April 23, 2007
Health Tip: Can You Recognize Osteoarthritis Symptoms?
Joint pain, stiffness are most prevalent
April 19, 2007

US health plans back greater scrutiny of new drugs
U.S. health insurers, whose patient records helped uncover heart risks of the withdrawn arthritis drug Vioxx, called Thursday for a new body to compare the safety and effectiveness of new drugs versus older treatments.

April 13, 2007

US FDA chief: Agency open to new pain drugs
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is still open to new Cox-2 pain drugs, the head of the agency said on Friday, one day after an advisory panel rejected Merck & Co. Inc.'s follow-up drug to Vioxx.

U.S. panel rejects Merck's Vioxx successor
Merck & Co Inc.'s successor to the recalled pain reliever Vioxx should not be approved, a U.S. advisory panel ruled on Thursday.
April 12, 2007

Merck urges U.S. panel to back Vioxx successor
GAITHERSBURG, Md.(Reuters) - A pain reliever in the same family as the recalled drug Vioxx should be approved to provide an alternative for patients who do not respond well to current options, maker Merck & Co Inc. argued to a U.S. advisory panel on Thursday.

FDA Advisory Panel Rejects Vioxx Successor
Merck's new painkiller Arcoxia shows cardiac risk, committee says in 20-1 vote.
April 10, 2007

Consumer group says Celebrex ad downplays risks
A consumer group accused Pfizer Inc. on Monday of downplaying safety differences between its Celebrex medicine and other painkillers in a new advertisement and said U.S. regulators should ask that the ad be pulled.

March 28, 2007
Arthritis Pain Processed in Emotion-Linked Brain Area
Findings may offer a new target for treatment, study suggests
March 27, 2007

Merck's Vioxx not cause of patient's death - jury
An Illinois jury on Tuesday found Merck & Co. Inc.'s withdrawn arthritis drug Vioxx did not cause a 52-year-old woman's fatal heart attack and that the drugmaker adequately warned consumers about the drug's alleged dangers.

March 19, 2007
Drug Shields Parkinson's Patients Against Fracture
Risedronate counters inactivity-linked weakening of bone, study finds
March 15, 2007
Genes Can Predict Hip Replacement Success
Finding may lead to new treatments and better artificial hips, experts say.
March 1, 2007
One Family's Gene Defect May Help Explain Heart Disease
Finding supports the notion of a 'metabolic syndrome,' scientists say.
January 31, 2007
Tweaking a Gene Could Rebuild Bone
Mouse study shows an increase in bone density
January 23, 2007
Bone Fracture a Real Danger for Older Men
One fracture triples their odds for a second fracture, new study shows.
January 12, 2007
Smoking May Play Role in Knee Osteoarthritis
Study suggests men, in particular, face cartilage loss, more severe pain
December 11, 2006
Massage Eases Pain of Knee Arthritis
Osteoarthritis patients reported better flexibility, less pain, study finds.
November 20, 2006
Smoking Puts Brakes on Joint Injury Repair
Cigarette toxins interfere with cartilage cell growth, study finds
November 12, 2006
Study Highlights Older Women's Bone Risk
Depression, lowered bone density boost odds for fracture
July 21, 2006
Two New Generic Alternatives to Osteoarthritis Drug Approved
Alternatives to Mobic receive FDA approval.