Pfizer Touts Pipeline Progress, but Doubters Remain

Starting Oct. 1, Medicare will stop paying hospitals for costs associated with certain complications. But as it turns out, the new policy won't have much effect on the bottom line.

Medicare’s No-Pay Rule Is Small Potatoes for Hospitals’ Bottom Line

Starting Oct. 1, Medicare will stop paying hospitals for costs associated with certain complications. But as it turns out, the new policy won't have much effect on the bottom line.

Glaxo Axing Drug Researchers

Glaxo is the latest drugmaker to cut costs by eliminating the jobs of scientists in research and development.

Is Sex Addiction Really a Disease?

Pop culture loves sex addiction. But the mental health community can't agree on whether it's really a disease.

Pfizer to Cut R&D Jobs, Retreat from Heart-Drug Research

Pfizer, the Lipitor company, is largely abandoning research into new medicines for heart disease to focus on hard-to-treat diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders and Alzheimer's.

Under Sweeping Settlement, Cephalon Will Disclose Doctor Payments

A corporate integrity agreement with the federal government makes Cephalon the first drugmaker to be required to post payments to physicians publicly.

Could Market Turmoil Foil Roche’s Bid for Genentech?

As the markets churned, Genentech's shares dipped below Roche's offer price of $89 a share to acquire the rest of the company.

Mayo & Johns Hopkins CEOs Want Buffer Between Congress & Medicare

The CEOs of two major medical organizations favor an independent, non-political board to make coverage decisions for Medicare.

FDA’s Second Delay on Lilly’s Prasugrel is a Headscratcher

Eli Lilly and partner Daiichi Sankyo said the FDA still hasn't finished its review of the anti-clotting drug. There were few details, but every minute of delay helps Bristol-Myers and Sanofi-Aventis.

Japanese Statin Discoverer Gets His Due With Lasker Award

Akira Endo, winner of a Lasker award for his discovery of statins, explains that he finally started taking one himself after exercise proved insufficient to lower his cholesterol.

University of Pennsylvania Turns to Industry for Medical Research

Penn's med school gets about $50 million a year in industry funding.

Feds Probe Another Chelation Study

Officials are investigating a federally funded study of chelation in patients who have survived heart attacks.

California Mandates More Screening, Reporting of Hospital Infections

Unlike other so-called safe-haven laws, the Nebraska law does not limit the age of the child. That's led to the recent abandonment of several teenagers.

Nebraska Law Leads Parents to Abandon Older Kids at Hospitals

Unlike other so-called safe-haven laws, the Nebraska law does not limit the age of the child. That's led to the recent abandonment of several teenagers.

Merck to Report (Some) Payments to Doctors, Medical Education Groups

The company's announcement comes a day after Eli Lilly said it would start reporting its payments to doctors.

The Most Expensive Drugs Are Getting Even More Expensive

The price of specialty drugs -- often sold by biotech companies, and used to treat complex conditions such as cancer -- rose 8.7% last year, three times the rate of inflation, a new report found.

Illinois Law Compels Hospitals to Give Uninsured Patients a Price Break

For low- and middle-income families without insurance, hospitals will be limited to billing them a 35% markup on the cost of care.

State Insurance Watchdogs Vary on Tracking Consumer Appeals

Being denied coverage of a medical procedure by your insurer is hard enough. Figuring out how your plan stacks up in handling appeals may be an even bigger challenge because state regulators track different information all sorts of ways.

Medical Societies Oppose Proposed Federal Abortion Rule

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association are among groups that have publicly opposed a rule that could allow health-care workers to refuse to provide certain forms of birth control if they believe they are tantamount to abortion.

Ex-Medtronic Lawyer Alleges Company Paid Kickbacks to Surgeons

The lawsuit claims the company paid spine surgeons royalties for inventions in which they had no hand, and sponsored lavish trips and visits to a strip club.

Big Pharma R&D: Things Are Tough All Over

Only 25% of experimental drugs are making out of phase II and half of those fail in phase III. The business model for the drug sector won't work unless those rates improve, said Steven Paul, head of R&D at Lilly.

Exit NIH Chief Elias Zerhouni

Zerhouni, a radiologist by training, managed to launch a major interdisciplinary project during an era of stagnant funding. But he also presided over the agency during an investigation into NIH scientists who did work on the side for private industry.

In Health Insurance, a Wider Range of Costs, Plans

Health insurance costs are going up. But a survey shows the cost of employess' premiums varies widely depending on the coverage offered. The range is the latest sign of how broad the meaning of insurance has become.

CVS Suppliers Pay for Face Time With Company Execs

A charity golf tournament is an in for companies that do business with the drugstore chain.

Eli Lilly to Disclose Payments to Doctors

The move comes as Congress considers a bill that would require all drug and device makers to report payments to doctors.

Pfizer Moves Into Stem Cell Research

The drugmaker initially plans to use stem cells to study drug safety. But the cells could eventually be used to grow new tissue for treatment of disease.

ImClone’s Icahn Calls Bristol-Myers’s Hostile Bid ‘Absurd’

In the latest installment of a long-running correspondence, Icahn rejects the latest Bristol offer as inadequate and tells the company's CEO there are more productive ways to make lawyers wealthier.

FDA Transparency Raises Volatility for Drug Company Shares

As the FDA moves toward reporting more potential drug safety issues, the number of false alarms will inevitably rise, causing more volatility in the sector.

FDA Transparency Is a Two-Edged Sword for Drug Company Shareholders

As the FDA moves toward reporting more potential drug safety issues, the number of false alarms will inevitably rise, causing more volatility in the sector.

Most Drug Studies Remain Unpublished

Many studies are submitted to the FDA but never published in the medical journals doctors use to evaluate drugs' safety and effectiveness.

Four Doctors Win $500,000 MacArthur Genius Awards

Nobody applies for the grants, and they're given with no strings attached.

Doctors Fall Short in Comforting Cancer Patients

When patients bring up fears of illness or death, doctors often switch the subject to more technical, medical issues, a study found.

Sharp Rise in Employee Health Costs in Store for Next Year

As American workers watched their health-care costs double over the past six years, they could at least take consolation in the fact their employers' share of the cost was rising even faster. Well, that's over, Hewitt Associates says, and employees will be paying a larger share of the bills in [...]

Hospital Employees Fired for Posting Patient Pics on MySpace

The workers took close-ups of patients' injuries in the E.R., then made them available to friends on social-networking Web site.

Sharp Rise in Employee Health Costs in Store for Next Year

As American workers watched their health-care costs double over the past six years, they could at least take consolation in the fact their employers' share of the cost was rising even faster. Well, that's over, Hewitt Associates says, and employees will be paying a larger share of the bills in [...]

Hospital Employees Fired for Posting Patient Pics on MySpace

The workers took close-ups of patients' injuries in the E.R., then made them available to friends on social-networking Web site.

Cheaper Options for Health Coverage Take Bite Out of Cobra

An online health-insurance broker aims to teach people about Cobra coverage, while also pointing to coverage for individuals that may cost less.

Wall Street Meltdown Worries New York Hospitals

New York hospitals, dependent on Wall Street for donations, may be in for some tough times.

Drugmakers Seek to Cut Red Tape to Speed Cancer Trials

Need a will or an apartment lease? It's easy enough to find a well-vetted template that let's you bypass the lawyers. Want to start a cancer study? That takes some serious lawyering. But a consortium of companies is coming up with standardized legal language to streamline the process.

After Cutting U.S. Sales Reps, Merck Brings in Contract Sales Force

Bringing in contract sales reps will allow the company to "expand and contract the number of reps we have at our disposal," a spokeswoman says.

Medicare Part B Premium Staying Flat for 2009

It's the first time since since 2000, and only the sixth time ever, that the premium for medical services hasn't increased from one year to the next.

What Sharks Can Teach Hospitals About Preventing Infection

Microscopic patterns on shark skin may provide a model for medical equipment that's less hospitable to bacteria.

Google Founder Sergei Brin on Genetics and Parkinson’s Disease

On his new blog Brin reveals that, as a customer of his wife's personal genomics company, he learned he has a genetic mutation that raises the risk of Parkinson's.

Colon Cancer Screening: Colonoscopy versus CT Scanning

CT scans catch most of the lesions detected by colonoscopy. But there's more to the story.

Psoriasis Drug from J&J Beats Enbrel in Study

As Johnson & Johnson awaits a decision from the Food and Drug Administration on experimental drug ustekinumab, the medicine beat Amgen's Enbrel in a head-to-head test for treatment of psoriasis.

Statistics Smackdown: Experts Duel Over Vytorin Cancer Data

The Oxford stats guru who said Vytorin doesn't increase the risk of cancer in the face of some data raising that possibility has sent a sharply worded response to questions from congressman looking into the issue.

NIH Cancels Study of Chelation as Autism Treatment

Had the trial failed, it might have led to a decrease in use of chelation as a treatment for autism. A review board found there was no clear evidence of benefit and "more than minimal risk" in going ahead with the test in kids.

Longs to Walgreen: Thanks, But We Prefer CVS

In a note that made some Longs shareholders unhappy, the company's CEO said Walgreen's offer wasn't as good as the one from CVS Caremark too noncommittal.

What’s the Best Way to Pay Doctors?

Experiments are springing up around the country to try to figure out how to pay doctors to deliver high-quality care while cutting back on excess spending.

Pharmacies Grapple With Ban on Ranbaxy Generics

The FDA's ban on importing most of the company's drugs could be tricky for some small pharmacies to navigate.

Can Henry Waxman Preempt Preemption?

In a letter to the FDA, Rep. Waxman, a California Democrat, questioned some industry-friendly rules the agency is seeking to put into place.

Congress Scrutinizes Consumer Ads for Medical Devices

At a hearing today, Sen. Herb Kohl said a moratorium on the ads for some devices "may be necessary."

Hoffmann-LaRoche Scion Boosts Stake in MedAssurant

In a break from his usual rule against investing in health care, André Hoffmann is putting $175 million into MedAssurant, a health-care data specialist in Maryland.

Small Swedish Pharma Could Be Buyout Target for Pfizer

An experimental cholesterol drug from Karo Bio showed promising results when combined with Pfizer's Lipitor.

Study Links Bisphenol A to Diabetes, Heart Disease

The study, published today in JAMA, is the latest cautionary signal on BPA, a chemical used in some plastic food and drink containers.

Amgen Presents Upbeat Data On Bone Drug

Denosumab, a twice-yearly injection, cut post-menopausal, osteoporotic womens' risk of vertabral fracture by 68% compared with placebo.

On Health Reform, McCain and Obama Both Fall Short

Papers published in the journal Health Affairs critique proposals from John McCain and Barack Obama, and neither candidate's plan fares too well.

The Organic Chemistry Backlash Grows

The last major player developing an inhaled form of insulin says results from a late-stage study look promising, but there's a long way to go.

As Foreign Nurses Fill U.S. Jobs, Concerns About Abuses Mount

The American Nurses Association and some other health-care groups have created a code of ethics meant to nurses from other countries.

Gallbladder Complications Fall After Work Limits for Surgical Residents

Patients who had their gallbladders removed at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center had fewer complications after surgical residents' work weeks were limited to 80 hours.

Pfizer Safety Site Highlights Reporting of Drug Side Effects to FDA

The New York drugmaker has launched a Web site to help consumers understand drug risks and also to report problems to the Food and Drug Administration.

Big Pharma Stocks Look Safer, as Wall Street Trembles

A gloomy financial sector makes the troubled but stable pharmaceutical sector an appealing haven for frazzled investors.

Amgen Hopes New Bone Drug Will Strengthen Shares

As Illinois reevaluates its certificate-of-need program for health-care facilities, the state gets some tough talk from the feds on the need for competition.

Feds: Illinois Hospital Regulation Keeps Health Costs High

As Illinois reevaluates its certificate-of-need program for health-care facilities, the state gets some tough talk from the feds on the need for competition.

Jabbing CVS, Walgreen Makes Rival Offer for Longs

Walgreen throws a $2.7 billion bid at Longs Drug Stores in a move that could thwart CVS's aspirations to grow in the West.

Traces of Drugs Pop Up in More Drinking Water

The latest installment in an investigation into the safety of drinking water around the country by the Associated Press has turned up more traces of pharmaceuticals in more places than previously thought.

Pfizer to Bring Back Chantix Ads

Amid concerns about side effects, the company earlier this year stopped running ads that mentioned the smoking-cessation drug by name. That's set to change Sunday, when a new campaign appears on TV.

Electric Power Industry May Fund Update of NIH Guide

The electric power industry may fund an update of an NIH guide to health issues related to electric power.

Christine Poon, J&J’s Highest-Ranking Woman, to Retire in March

Poon, 56, leaves at a time when J&J's drug business is a mess. Generics are sapping the the sales of some of the company's most important medicines. Most notably, the oral version of antipsychotic Risperal went generic in June and its patent-protected successor, Invega, has been a disappointment.

Health Care Remains Prominent in Congressional Races

Health care isn't getting much attention in the presidential race these days. But it's still a key factor in the fights over Congressional seats around the country.

Some Hospitals Don’t Report a Single Error, Despite New Laws

In New Jersey, for example, five of the state's 80 hospitals didn't report any preventable mistakes last year. And some Pennsylvania hospitals didn't report any errors or near misses, which are also supposed to be reported. It's unlikely the hospitals operated flawlessly.

Some Hospitals Don’t Report a Single Errors, Despite New Laws

In New Jersey, for example, five of the state's 80 hospitals didn't report any preventable mistakes last year. And some Pennsylvania hospitals didn't report any errors or near misses, which are also supposed to be reported. It's unlikely the hospitals operated flawlessly.

Unreliable Answers From Medicare Call Center, if You Can Get Through

A Senate investigation has found that a call center for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries often provides wrong or incomplete information.

Double Whammy: California Real Estate Bust Meets Amgen Layoffs

Falling home prices are pinching some ex-Amgen employees whose second mortgages, offered in relocation packages, are coming due early next year.

Bristol-Myers Hangs Tough on ImClone, Despite Icahn’s Mystery Buyer

Jim Cornelius, CEO of Bristol-Myers Squibb, stands behind the company's $60-a-share offer for ImClone Systems in a letter to financier Carl Icahn. The letter doesn't rule out a higher bid, but it casts doubt on the "highly conditional preliminary proposal" from an unnamed potential acquirer.

Moody Blues: European Drugmakers’ Credit Ratings Likely to Decline

Moody's issued a negative outlook for the sector, citing weak pipelines and looming patent expirations on a slew of drugs.

Sen. Grassley Blasts Psychiatrist for Failure to Disclose Industry Funding

The vast majority of patients at the walk-in clinics are there for a few, relatively simple health problems. Most of the patients don't have a primary care provider, and insurance often pays for the visit.

Ex-UnitedHealth CEO Pays Up to Settle Calpers-Led Lawsuit

Bill McGuire, former chairman and CEO of the health insurer, will pay $30 million and forfeit nearly $107 million in stock options to settle a federal class-action lawsuit about stock-option backdating.

Drugmakers and Academia Should Collaborate More, Scientist Says

Why go overseas to get a good deal on hip or knee surgery when you can travel to a cheaper hospital in the U.S., some employers are starting to ask.

Illinois Nonprofit Hospital Battles to Protect Tax Exemption

Why go overseas to get a good deal on hip or knee surgery when you can travel to a cheaper hospital in the U.S., some employers are starting to ask.

Medical Tourism Starts at Home

Why go overseas to get a good deal on hip or knee surgery when you can travel to a cheaper hospital in the U.S., some employers are starting to ask.

What Mystery Buyer Would Pay $70 Per Share for ImClone?

Rejecting a $60 per share offer from Bristol-Myers Squibb, ImClone says a $70 offer from an unnamed drug company may be imminent.

Glaxo’s Viehbacher to be CEO of Sanofi

He will replace Gerard Le Fur, who had reportedly clashed with Sanofi-Aventis's chairman Jean-François Dehecq.

Channeling Mark Twain, Steve Jobs Affirms His Good Health

As the Apple CEO took the stage today, the screen behind him flashed: "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated."

Few Medical Students Plan to Go Into Primary Care

It's not just about the money. Medical students are shying away from the increasing administrative burdens and hectic schedules faced by primary care physicians.

Channeling Mark Twain, Steve Jobs Affirms His Good Health

As the Apple CEO took the stage today, the screen behind him flashed: "The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated."

Vioxx Shareholder Lawsuit: Back On!

A federal appeals court says a class-action securities lawsuit against Merck can go forward, reversing the decision of a judge in a lower court.

FDA Panel Endorses Pfizer’s Fablyn, With Reservations

An FDA advisory committee said the benefits of the osteoporosis drug outweigh the risks. But some panel members suggested the drug be restricted to women at high risk of bone trouble.

Glaxo’s Viehbacher Heading for Sanofi

Chris Viehbacher lost out in a race to be CEO of Glaxo. It's not yet clear what his title will be at Sanofi, but he's likely to get a top job there.

FDA Panel Endorses Pfizer’s Fablyn, With Reservations

An FDA advisory committee said the benefits of the osteoporosis drug outweigh the risks. But some panel members suggested the drug be restricted to women at high risk of bone trouble.

Glaxo’s Viehbacher Heading for Sanofi

Chris Viehbacher lost out in a race to be CEO of Glaxo. It's not yet clear what his title will be at Sanofi, but he's likely to get a top job there.

FDA Panel Endorses Pfizer’s Fablyn, With Reservations

An FDA advisory committee said the benefits of the osteoporosis drug outweigh the risks. But some panel members suggested the drug be restricted to women at high risk of bone trouble.

MillerCoors Sued Over Sparks Energy Brew

The lawsuit alleges that the drink poses health and safety risks. Earlier this year, Anheuser Busch agreed to stop selling alcoholic energy drinks.

Traders Boost Bayer on Pfizer Deal Speculation

Pfizer is hungry for new products and has a history of doing big deals. Could Germany's Bayer be next up on the New York drugmaker's takeover menu?

FDA Panel Endorses Pfizer’s Fablyn, With Reservations

An FDA advisory committee said the benefits of the osteoporosis drug outweigh the risks. But some panel members suggested the drug be restricted to women at high risk of bone trouble.

Applications Pour In for First Class at Free Medical School

The University of Central Florida is offering an all-expenses paid education medical students, and the response is brisk.

Sen. Chuck Grassley and the University of Chicago Medical Center, Cont’d

Chris Viehbacher is leaving to "pursue another opportunity," a spokeswoman said. He'll forfeit a retention bonus worth about $5 million.

GlaxoSmithKline’s Top U.S. Exec Leaves After Losing CEO Horse Race

Chris Viehbacher is leaving to "pursue another opportunity," a spokeswoman said. He'll forfeit a retention bonus worth about $5 million.

Despite Treatment Gains, Many Cancer Stories Remain Bleak

We read a constant stream of stories about cancer breakthroughs. But the big picture is much grimmer.

CT Scans: Risks, Benefits and Profit

CT scans can save lives. But they also slightly increase the risk of cancer -- a risk that's getting more attention, as the number of scans rises quickly.

Federal Judge to Unseal Confidential Zyprexa Documents

Insurers, pension funds and unions won class-action status for their case against Eli Lilly over the marketing of antipsychotic Zyprexa. A federal judge also ruled some controversial, sealed documents could be made public.

Sen. Grassley Keeps Pressure on Non-Profit Hospitals

As part of a long-running investigation into whether nonprofits are doing enough to keep their tax-exempt status, the Iowa senator is questioning the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Clinical Trials Technology Creeps Into the 21st Century

Computers have been slow to replace paper in clinical tests of experimental drugs. But the pace of change is finally quickening, as we learned from talking with the CEO of IT shop Phase Forward, which is buying Clarix for $40 million.

Meta Moment: WSJ Health Blog Meets Egghead Editors & Publishers

University of Kansas professor David Perlmutter told a group of academic publishers one reason blogs are popular is that they "are now putting up there for everyone to see what used to be behind the curtain."

As NFL Season Kicks Off, California Sues Artificial Turf Makers Over Lead

The lawsuit comes after public health officials found lead in dust given off by old turf.

Doctors Sued for Prescribing Painkillers to Woman Who Crashed Her Car

Two people were killed in the crash. The suit argues that doctors should have warned the woman about driving while taking prescription painkillers.

Marketing of Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Is a Mess

Most marketing materials fail to meet federal guidelines. Many fail to mention low-income subsidies; others, produced in conjunction with pharmacies, don't mention that beneficiaries can use other pharmacies.

Walgreen CEO: Bad Economy Hurts Prescriptions

Consumers are skipping pills to save money as the economy sours. Walgreen CEO Jeffrey Rein calls it the "tightest prescription market" in 27 years. But forgoing medicines to treat chronic conditions is risky.

How to Remove Earwax: Don’t Use WaterPik, Candle or Q-tip

A doctors' group has published guidelines on what to do about earwax. Usually, it's best left alone. But if it starts bothering you, you have a few options.

One More Warning for Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs

Humira, Remicade, Cimzia and Enbrel have been tied to a potentially deadly fungal infection called histoplasmosis.

Childhood Vaccination Rates Remain High Despite Worries

Despite widespread media coverage of those outside the medical establishment who argue that vaccines are linked to autism, the percentage of children getting their shots remained basically unchanged between 2003 and 2007.

One More Warning for Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs

Humira, Remicade, Cimzia and Enbrel have been tied to a potentially deadly fungal infection called histoplasmosis.

Childhood Vaccination Rates Remain High Despite Worries

Despite widespread media coverage of those outside the medical establishment who argue that vaccines are linked to autism, the percentage of children getting their shots remained basically unchanged between 2003 and 2007.

California Tackles Balance Billing, Rescission & Hospital Infections

The FDA recently warned doctors of complications associated with the unapproved use of Medtronic's Infuse Bone Graft.

Surgeons With Ties to Medtronic Touted Unapproved Use of Bone Graft

The FDA recently warned doctors of complications associated with the unapproved use of Medtronic's Infuse Bone Graft.

Surgeons With Ties Medtronic Touted Unapproved Use of Bone Graft

The FDA recently warned doctors of complications associated with the unapproved use of Medtronic's Infuse Bone Graft.

Boston Looks to Ban Cigarette Sales in Pharmacies

Public health officials argue that a pharmacy's role providing health-care products is at odds with selling cigarettes. San Francisco passed a similar ban earlier this year.

Primary Care Doc: ‘The Chronic Disease Epidemic Is Upon Us’

Chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease are growing more common as more Americans become obese. But a health system that pays for acute, procedure-driven care makes it tough to manage those conditions over the long haul.

Study Shows ‘No Connection’ Between Measles Vaccine, Autism

Researchers from Columbia University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say their research "eliminates" remaining support for a hypothesis linking the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to autism.

Miami Dolphin Ricky Williams Hopes Osteopathy Will Be His Next Move

Ricky Williams is boning up on pre-algebra in the hopes of eventually pursuing a degree in osteopathy.

Federal Health Experts Remain Concerned About BPA Safety

It looks like a Roche research operation in the Bay Area is an early casualty of the company's bid for Genentech.

Genentech Deal Spells End for Roche Lab in California

It looks like a Roche research operation in the Bay Area is an early casualty of the company's bid for Genentech.

From Russia to Pfizer With Love: Cold Remedy Turned Alzheimer’s Pill

Pfizer is plunking down big bucks for an unorthodox Alzheimer's medicine that was developed decades ago in Russia to treat the sniffles.

Were Vytorin Cancer Data Made Public Too Soon?

Merck and Schering-Plough are getting knocked by doctors for releasing cancer data in a press conference rather than in medical journal where the results would be vetted by outside experts.

WellPoint Boosts Premiums to Bolster Profits

CEO Angela Bray walks a fine line as she hikes health plan prices to placate investors at the risk of scaring off customers.

Youth Suicides Rose After Stiffer Warnings Curbed Antidepressant Use

After years of declines, the rate of suicide among children and adolescents jumped sharply between 2003 and 2004. The rate fell slightly in 2005, but remained high enough to spur more debate about kids and antidepressants.

Health Care Isn’t Free Unless Hospital Parking Is Gratis too, say Scots

Scotland is getting rid of parking fees at most of its hospitals. The move is a small sign of disparities emerging in different parts of the U.K.

Father’s Age Associated With Risk of Bipolar Disorder in Children

The findings are one more sign certain health risks are elevated for children born to older fathers.

Japanese Drug Industry Makes Another Billion-Dollar U.S. Buy

Shionogi is buying publicly traded Sciele Pharma in a deal worth $1.42 billion. The acquisition is one in a series of big U.S. acquisitions by Japanese drug makers.

Study: Consumer Drug Ads Don’t Guarantee Sales Success

Researchers mined data from Canada, where viewers see English-language drug ads that air in the United States. They found that the ads delivered mixed results.

For Sick Heart Patients, Bypass Surgery Beats Stents

Patients who had bypass surgery fared better than those who received stents, a new study found. The death rate was similar for both groups, but those who received stents were more likely to need a follow-up procedure.

Pfizer Brings Back Lipitor Ads — Without Robert Jarvik

After being criticized for Lipitor ads that starred Robert Jarvik, a doctor who had never practiced medicine, Pfizer is rolling out spots featuring a heart attack survivor who regrets not lowering his cholesterol earlier.

New England Journal of Medicine: Vytorin-Cancer Link ‘Uncertain’

In a study, patients who took Vytorin had a higher risk of cancer than those who took a placebo. One analysis suggests the finding was a fluke. But an editorial in an influential journal says caution is warranted.