Al Branch, Jr.

The economy may still be suffering from the twin shocks of September 11th and a bursting technology bubble, but pharma spending on promotions continues to grow at a double-digit pace.

As part of their new joint venture, Johnson & Johnson and Merck want to take their cholesterol-lowering drug Mevacor (lovastatin) from prescription to over-the-counter status, according to company officials.

An FDA advisory committee is recommending that over-the-counter painkillers bear stiffer warnings in light of continued episodes of liver and other internal organ damage when consumers take the products in combination with other medications.