Merck's defense all along has been that Vioxx looked bad because naproxen, another pain killer that it was compared to, actually protected the heart.

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He had been in a half-way house recently, but according to court documents, was sent back to the clink for taking a pain killer, allegedly without approval.

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Chocolate is a natural analgesic, or pain killer.

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The licensing of medicine by America's Food and Drug Administration has become slower since 2004 when a pain-killer, Vioxx, was withdrawn by its maker, Merck, because it increased the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

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"Yet despite being the UK's single biggest killer, the first sign someone has heart disease is often severe chest pain or sudden death".

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