Shares of Merck and Co., makers of Vioxx, fall for a second day Friday, after the New England Journal of Medicine says authors of a study funded by Merck failed to disclose that three additional patients in a 2000 clinical study suffered heart attacks while using the now non-existent pain-killer.

In early trading on the New York Stock Exchange, shares of Merck fell 77 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $28.91

The New England Journal of Medicine

The journal accuses Merck of withholding information on "cardiovascular outcomes" prior to submitting its manuscript of the so-called Vigor trial

Merck and Co.'s announcement Monday that it will trim 7,000 jobs brings the number of announced cuts in the pharmaceutical industry to 24,396 this year, a 150 percent increase from last year, according to global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas, Inc.

The announcement comes as the company faces the loss of patent protection for its cholesterol drug Zocor in 2006 and is facing thousands of liability lawsuits from its recalled painkiller Vioxx

Merck and Co.'s announcement Monday that it will trim 7,000 jobs brings the number of announced cuts in the pharmaceutical industry to 24,396 this year, a 150 percent increase from last year, according to global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray and Christmas, Inc.

The announcement comes as the company faces the loss of patent protection for its cholesterol drug Zocor in 2006 and is facing thousands of liability lawsuits from its recalled painkiller Vioxx

Two groups of scientists on Friday released a study offering tips for improving the integrity, usefulness and safety of clinical-trial results, especially studies of new drugs.

The study was inspired by the fate of Merck's painkiller Vioxx that was taken off the market last fall because it increased the risk of strokes and heart attacks in patients taking the drug long-term, researchers said, noting that it is being well received by their colleagues