Merck misrepresented the results of a crucial clinical trial of Vioxx to play down the drug's heart risks according to the New England Journal of Medicine. The Journal's allegation made today may play a critical role in the thousands of lawsuits that Merck faces over Vioxx, a once-popular painkiller that has been linked to heart attacks and strokes.
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By Jeanne Lenzer
Legislation aimed at ending the close relationship between the US Food and Drug Administration and the drug industry was introduced last week in the House of Representatives by Congressman Maurice Hinchey (Democrat) of New York.
The Food and Drug Administration Improvement Act 2005 has been endorsed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, DC, a non-profit education and advocacy organisation. Merrill Goozner, director of the centre's integrity in science project, said it was "exactly what is needed to restore public confidence in the FDA."
The bill includes several provisions aimed at ending financial conflicts of interest. Drug companies would still be expected to pay fees but they would be paid to a general fund of the US Treasury. The bill prohibits the FDA from negotiating with drug companies about how it uses funds and it "terminates all previous agreements between FDA and such companies."
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