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The article reports that Merck & Co. Inc. is under investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts for off-label marketing of its Vioxx painkiller. The drug was pulled from the market in 2004 after a study linked it to increased heart attacks and strokes. Details of the lawsuit filed against Merck are also reported.

The article reports that Merck & Co. and Schering-Plough Corp. are under investigation by Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal in connection with the marketing of cholesterol drugs Vytorin and Zetia. Blumenthal revealed that the investigation seeks to determine if Medicaid program funds were spent on false assurances about the safety and effectiveness of the drugs. Spokespersons Chris Garland and Rosemarie Yancosek stated that their companies have not been notified of an investigation by Connecticut but they will cooperate.

The article reports on the choices given by New Orleans federal judge Eldon E. Fallon to Gerald Barnett, plaintiff in a lawsuit against Merck & Co. Barnett was given the choice of accepting a reduced compensatory damage award or a new trial. A federal jury found in August 2006 that Merck's painkiller Vioxx was responsible for Barnett's heart attack.

This article reports on the victory of Merck & Co. in the case filed by Frank Schwaller in a circuit court in Illinois over the death of his wife Patricia after taking the firm's Vioxx painkiller.

This article reports on the split verdict received by Merck & Co. from a New Jersey jury in the trial related to the Vioxx drug of the company.

The article provides information on an outside investigation ordered by the board of Merck & Co. which exonerated the drug maker's management of any liability in developing and marketing the painkiller Vioxx.

This article reports on the decision of a 12-person jury to a case against Merck & Co. which was allegedly liable for the heart attack of Stewart Grossberg who took the painkiller Vioxx for two years.

Reports on the deal made by Merck & Co. with UnitedHealth Group on the pricing of its cholesterol-fighting drug Zocor, which is about to face generic competition.

Reports on the settlement of a civil case brought to Purdue Pharma L. P. by its insurer, Steadfast Insurance Co. over spiraling legal costs incurred by the drug company in defending nearly 1,400 lawsuits over OxyContin, its prescription painkiller.

Reports on the amount of money in punitive damages awarded by a jury to John McDarby who had a heart attack while taking Merck's drug Vioxx.

The article focuses on the testimonial of Evelyn Irvin Plunkett about the death of her husband after taking the Vioxx drug manufactured by Merck & Co.

Reports on the commencement of deliberations by New Jersey jurors over the drug Vioxx from Merck & Co. on November 1, 2005.

Reports on the arguments presented by Merck & Co. defense attorney Diane P. Sullivan in a lawsuit filed by Frederick Humeston, who alleged that the company's drug, Vioxx, caused his heart attack in 2001.

Reports on the testimonial of a cardiologist regarding the short-term effect of the painkiller Vioxx from Merck & Co.

Reports on the protection of Merck & Co. from punitive damages claims under New Jersey's Product Liability Act.

Focuses on the testimony of Frederick Humeston, a postal worker from Boise, Idaho, in the second trial on Vioxx drug, wherein he told the jurors that he has been weak and incapacitated following a 2001 heart attack he blames on the drug.

Reports on the defense issued by a senior Merck & Co. executive for his company's efforts to market Vioxx to doctors, in a trial involving the drug as of September 2005.

Reports on the presentation of arguments to the jury by the defense lawyers of Merck & Co. in the first trial over the company's painkilling drug Vioxx on August 17, 2005.

Reports on an increase in prices of prescription drugs in the U.S. in the first half of 2005.

Reports on the financial performance of Johnson & Johnson in the second quarter of 2005.

Reports on the increase in spending on hospital care, physician services and prescription drugs in the U.S. in 2004.

Reports that the pharmacies of CVS Corp. will stop purchasing drugs from wholesalers that trade in the secondary market in the U.S.

Reports on the subpoenas received by McKesson Corp. and Cardinal Health Inc. from New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer in April 2005 related to the drug wholesalers' purchase of drugs on the secondary market.

Reports the statement of Wyeth that its first-quarter financial results will exceed its earnings forecast brought by strong vaccine and drug sales.

Reports on the increased cost of drugs and examines the reasons why pharmaceutical companies are raising prices. Percentage by which Pfizer Inc. increased prices on U.S. medicines; Increases at Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim and Abbott Laboratories; Reasons why companies are increasing prices, including sales loss from generic competition and the upcoming Medicare drug benefits program. INSET: Rising Prices.

Discusses the findings of a study on the limitations of single fecal occult blood test performed by doctors to screen for colorectal cancer.

Reports that many former Vioxx takers say alternatives to the drug are either substandard in pain relief or carry other dangers. Wish of some that the information on Vioxx had been made public at the beginning so they could make their own decision about taking the drug; The complexities of weighing risk of side effects from the benefits of the medication; Example of one patient and his search for a working alternative drug.

Provides information on the status of drug prices in the U.S. for the third quarter of 2004.

Reports on the testimony of David Graham given before the Senate Finance Committee concerning safety measures used by the Food and Drug Administration. Criticism leveled by Graham against the agency; Allegations that the agency ignored researchers and does not focus on safety concerns once a drug is approved; Focus of the meeting on the recall of the drug Vioxx.

Presents news briefs related to travel and tourism in the U.S. as of September 3, 2004.

Reports on the delays in smaller airports in the U.S.

Focuses on a trend in the sports where sports teams' management are allowing individuals to pay for the right to use their stadiums and facilities just like professional athletes. Examples of activities that individuals can do for a price, including riding a leg of the Tour de France and driving a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway; View of author that many sports organizations are running out of ways to make money; Discussion of the commercialization of sports; Comments from Charles Steinberg, the public affairs director of the Boston Red Sox, regarding the club allowing individuals onto the field.

Presents information on various diaper bags.

Presents updates on conventions, tourist trade and travel worldwide as of May 14, 2004.

Focuses on the effort of golf course marshalls to keep golfers moving at a steady pace on the golf course. Value of the golf industry, which has experienced a slump recently; Comments from Brian Dees, golf director at Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin (Tex.), regarding the length of time it takes to play an entire round as the result of stepped-up efforts of marshalls to speed up play; Comments from several marshalls, sometimes called rangers, about confrontations with angry golfers; Examples of greens fees, the cost of a round of golf, at some courses, suggesting that golfers are paying a premium and should not be hassled; Percentage reduction in the number of rounds played in the last two years; Results of a study by the National Golf Foundation, indicating the biggest complaint of golfers are slow golfers.

Present updates on the travel industry in the U.S. as of April 2004.

The article focuses on the plans of several U.S. drug makers to reintroduce a type of pain medication known as Cox-2 inhibitors to the public. Novartis AG is planning to sell its drug Prexige in Europe and submit plans to the United States Food & Drug Administration for its review, and Merck & Co. plans to seek the agency's approval for its drug Arcoxia. The inhibitors gained national attention when Merck & Co. was forced to pull its inhibitor Vioxx from the global market due to side effects.

Reports that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may propose changes in the way drugs are packaged and distributed as there has been a proliferation of counterfeit drugs in America. Comments from FDA associate commissioner, John M. Taylor III, regarding the increase in counterfeit drugs; Factors leading the a rise in the fake drugs, including weaknesses in the drug-distribution system, the rise of Internet pharmacies and huge disparities in drug prices; Methods by which counterfeiters are getting their drugs into market.

Excerpts from recent entries at WSJ.com's law blog are presented, including one on a documentary called "A Lawyer Walks Into a Bar."

Reports on the pressure being applied to Merck & Co. to replace CEO Raymond Gilmartin. Repercussions over the company's handling of Vioxx, such as lower share prices, credit rating problems, and loss of talent; Analysis published by Lancet, which suggests that Vioxx should have been withdrawn earlier.

The article reports on a decrease in the use of health care middlemen such as health insurers, by business enterprises in the United States who want to reduce the health care costs of their employees. A discussion of the advantages and disadvantages to businesses who use middlemen to handle their health care issues such as prescription benefits, is presented. Changes in the use of middlemen which have been implemented by Caterpillar Inc., and Perdue Farms, Inc., are offered as examples.

Reports that UnitedHealth Group Inc., the nation's second-largest health insurer, said it has agreed to acquire PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. Number of health-plan members enrolled in both companies; Market potential of the deal for UnitedHealth, who hope to benefit by bolstering its market position in California and seniors covered by Medicare; Statistics indicating a decrease in the number of employers and employees enrolled in traditional health insurance, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Financial performance of UnitedHealth, noting the company's growth in recent years.

Previews several new books for summer reading. Increase in politically-themed books this summer; Comments from Elaine Petrocelli, owner of BookPassage in Core Madera (Calif.) regarding what people want to read this summer; Results of the author's survey of several editors, agents, book-store owners and big retailers as to what books are hot for the summer; "Alexander Hamilton," by Ron Chernow; "Blue Blood," by Edward Conlon; Percentage increase in the sale of hardcover books in 2004; Comparison of the number of voters interested in the 2004 U.S. presidential elections relative to 2000, suggesting politically-themed books will be big sellers.

Searches for hotel destinations where cell phone service is inaccessible. Increased in the number of cell phone towers in the United States during the last five years; View of author that it is impossible to take a quiet vacation getaway; Number of Americans carrying cellphones, noting it is nine times as many as a decade ago; Examples of hotels in several U.S. states were no service is available; Results of studies indicating cell phone annoyances; Excerpts from the Web site of Garland's Oak Creek Lodge in Sedona (Ariz.) that uses the "no service" as part of their marketing.

Examines the reaction of the entertainment industry in Hollywood to the news of Comcast Corp.'s tender offer for Walt Disney Co. Comments from Tom Pollock, former head of Universal Studios, regarding the perception in Hollywood that Comcast is an unknown entity; Opinions from producer David Brown, Revolution Studios head Joe Roth, former head of ABC programming Leonard Goldberg, actress Hayley Mills, producer Michael Shamberg, novelist and screenwriter Michael Tolkin; Analysis of actors lobbying for an Oscar, the awards presented by the Academy of Motion Pictures.