Pfizer and Merck: Different Strokes

Business Week discusses the difference between the two drugmakers reactions to safety issues surrounding Celebrex and Vioxx.

Dying to Get Rid of a Headache

In the latest spate of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories linked to heart problems, the Washington Post reports that Aleve, which has been available over the counter for more than a decade, may increase people's risk of having a heart attack or stroke by as much as fifty percent. [link]

Meanwhile, last week, various news organizations and the National Cancer Institute reported that Celebrex could help prevent and even fight breast cancer. But, in the last few days, Celebrex has been implicated in increasing heart disease risks.Read more here and here. Obviously, more research needs to be conducted to balance the possible benefits against the possible risks.

What's Up Roundup

Ten myths about assisted suicide from Spiked Liberties.

Ethics of compulsory drug screening.

Amusing "please call our expert" release on Pfizer Celebrex heart risks, from Saint Louis University

Knight Ridder piece by April Lynch on hiding genetic testing results from insurance companies

Another PR piece fed to the media on an ethicist, this time Penn's Martha Farah and neuroethics.