In light of the Vioxx scandal, researchers are questioning the way that medical treatments and products are being tested.

Failure to identify medical safety problems could be prevented if medical researchers changed the way they evaluate new medicines, medical devices and other treatments, according to a new paper in the journal Health Affairs

Merck and Co. wins the first of many lawsuits concerning its painkiller, Vioxx. A New Jersey state jury finds the drug maker properly warned consumers about Vioxx risks. The decision means Merck will not be held liable for the 2001 heart attack suffered by a man taking the drug.

The verdict is Merck's first win out of two Vioxx-related trials. In August, a Texas jury found the company liable in a Vioxx user's death. Damages will be cut to about one-tenth of the jury's $253 million award due to Texas' caps on punitive damages

In his closing argument, Christopher Seeger, lead attorney for the plaintiff in the second Vioxx case to go to trial, accused Merck and Co. of concealing evidence that the drug led to heart attacks in order to protect profits.

Seeger, in closing arguments, rejected claims by the company that Vioxx did not cause the rupture of plaque in a coronary artery of his client, Frederick Humeston, 60, that triggered the heart attack

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, Dr. Lester Crawford, has resigned, after repeated claims that he allowed his agency to "play politics" with drug approvals, and oversaw some very high profile drug safety recalls.

The White House quickly named Andrew von Eschenbach, the director of the National Cancer Institute, as acting FDA commissioner

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, Dr. Lester Crawford, has resigned, after repeated claims that he allowed his agency to "play politics" with drug approvals, and oversaw some very high profile drug safety recalls.

The White House quickly named Andrew von Eschenbach, the director of the National Cancer Institute, as acting FDA commissioner