Two years ago, drug company Merck pulled its blockbuster drug Vioxx off the market after studies showed an increased risk of heart problems for patients taking the drug. How can a harmful drug reach your medicine cabinet? A new report says the drug safety system is flawed and needs fixing. In this hour, we'll talk about the safety of prescription drugs. What changes should the FDA make to ensure the safety of our medicines?

Plus, a new map links drugs to diseases, and could lead to new uses for old drugs.

Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (2-3 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests:
Todd Golub
Director, Cancer Program
Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
Investigator, Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Boston, Massachusetts

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Sheila Burke
Deputy Secretary and Chief Operating Officer
Smithsonian Institution
Chair, Committee on the Assessment of the U.S. Drug Safety System
Institute of Medicine
Washington, DC

Scott Lassman
General Counsel
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
Washington, DC

Books/Articles Discussed:

IOM report: The Future of Drug Safety:

(find books discussed on previous broadcasts)

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This segment produced by Karin Vergoth