Hackers demand ransom for medical records they are holding "hostage"

Computer hackers have broken into a US state's prescription monitoring website and deleted more than eight million medical records, replacing the website's homepage with a $10m ransom note. In return for the ransom money the hackers said they would "gladly send along the password" to allow officials to restore the records.

Other news published on 12 May:

• Researchers have failed to ease access to patients’ data for research
• More than 40% of children in parts of Africa have experienced physical violence
• Number of confirmed A/H1N1 flu cases doubles over one weekend

Merck defends Vioxx in court, as publisher apologises for fake journal

Merck has begun the defence of its anti-arthritis drug rofecoxib (Vioxx) in the Federal Court of Australia, amid revelations that it lobbied to quash similar legal action in Britain, and as a publisher apologised for a journal sponsored by the company.

Other news published on 11 May:

• Watchdog warns government over inaccurate data on road casualties
• GPs should get specific training on dealing with patients’ alcohol problems, MPs hear
• Appointment of Hamburg as FDA commissioner moves a step closer
• Commission’s inspections of primary care may be overly bureaucratic, GPs warn
• Agencies scale up search for alternatives to DDT to control malaria
• Permission is given for claim to be pursued 35 years after treatment

UK adopts growth charts based on data from breastfed babies

All newborn babies and children up to the age of 4 years in the United Kingdom will have their growth measurements plotted on new charts from this week, which will lead to more infants classed as overweight or obese. The UK is the first country in Europe to adopt the new standards, which are based on data from the World Health Organization on breastfed babies.

Other news published on 8 May:

• Young women at more risk of HIV infection than young men
• Gaza patients "forced" to help security services in exchange for Israeli medical treatment
• Mental health trust criticised for "undertreatment" of psychiatric patient who went on to kill
• Chief medical officer warns against complacency over swine flu
• Deregistered psychiatrist is reconvicted for murder of former boss
• Canadian media company demands right to publish direct to consumer drug advertising

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