Health

Tobacco Companies Hid Information on Radioactive Polonium

by Anne Landman — August 26, 2008 - 12:25pm

Tobacco manufacturers discovered over 40 years ago that radioactive polonium-210 exists in cigarettes and tobacco smoke, and spent decades working to remove it, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health.

Main Source: 
The Independent (UK), August 24, 2008

Merck Makes Science Sell

by Diane Farsetta — August 20, 2008 - 3:13pm

An analysis of Merck internal documents concluded that the pharmaceutical company carried out a clinical study of Vioxx in 1999, "primarily to support a marketing campaign before the drug's launch." Merck stated that the study was done "to test side effects of the painkiller Vioxx," which was pulled from the market in 2004, after being linked to an increased risk of heart attacks.

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal (sub req'd), August 19, 2008

Philip Morris Caught in Second Concert Sponsorship in Philippines

by Anne Landman — August 13, 2008 - 4:22pm

Last month, when pop singer Alicia Keys protested Philip Morris International's (PMI) sponsorship of her concert in Jakarta, Indonesia, PMI was forced to pull down posters and billboards that promoted the event.

Main Source: 
MarketWatch, the Wall Street Journal Digital Network, August 12, 2008

Toxic Smoke and Mirrors

by Sheldon Rampton — August 13, 2008 - 9:35am

Overexposure to manganese has caused Parkinson's-like symptoms for thousands of welders, but the makers of manganese-containing welding wire and electrodes are avoiding liability by manipulating science. Jim Morris writes that "the welding companies paid more than $12.5 million to 25 organizations and 33 researchers, virtually all of whom have published papers dismissing connections between welding fumes and workers' ailments. ...

Main Source: 
Mother Jones, July/August 2008

Private Spooks Court Journalists

by Bob Burton — July 31, 2008 - 9:04pm

Melissa Sweet, a freelance Australian health journalist, reports that she recently received an email from a staffer with the private intelligence company Hakluyt.

Main Source: 
Crikey (Australia, sub req'd), July 31, 2008

If You Can't Beat 'Em, Hire 'Em

by Judith Siers-Poisson — July 23, 2008 - 4:31pm

Daniel Troy served as chief counsel for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from 2001 to 2004. Starting September 2, 2008, he will be head counsel for the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline.

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal (sub req'd) July 23, 2008

Public Criticism for Public Strategies

by Diane Farsetta — July 23, 2008 - 3:04pm

Human rights and labor activists protested outside the Washington DC offices of Public Strategies, Inc., claiming that the public relations firm helps the Bridgestone / Firestone Tire Company "deflect attention away from the company's long history of exploiting workers and the environment on its rubber plantation in Liberia." The protest comes shortly after the publication of a

Main Source: 
The Stop Firestone Coalition, July 23, 2008

Peak Drug Industry Body Sin Bins Roche

by Bob Burton — July 22, 2008 - 12:40am

The Swiss drug company Roche has been suspended from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) after adverse findings over its promotion of the weight-loss drug Xenical.

Main Source: 
Financial Times (UK), July 15, 2008
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