CANADA PANEL SUPPORTS VIOXX'S RETURN TO MARKET

An expert panel is recommending that Health Canada allow the controversial painkiller Vioxx back on the market. By a 12-1 vote panel members concluded that the benefits of Vioxx in providing pain relief outweigh the increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Merck & Co. withdrew the drug from the worldwide market in September after a study showed that it doubled patients' risk of heart attacks and strokes. Earlier this year a panel of outside experts narrowly voted to recommend to the Food and Drug Administration that Vioxx be allowed back on the market.

Chicago Tribune (http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0507080254jul08,1,1308123.story?coll=chi-business-hed)