George Koroneos, Online Content & News Editor

Nearly 70 pharma execs, new media mavens, and even Joe Q. Public packed last week's FDA social media hearings to plead for some form of guidance on how to handle Tweets, blog comments, and off label discussions online.

Following through with its promise to waste no time in merging Wyeth and Pfizer, the pharma giant announced restructuring plans for its global research network.

Johnson & Johnson announced a massive restructuring plan on Tuesday in an effort to save $1.4 billion to $1.7 billion by 2011. The human cost: 7 percent of its workforce.

The US oversight arm scripted a hefty report complaining that FDA is not moving fast enough when it comes to screening clinical trials data for drugs green lit through its expedited approval program.

The third quarter reports are in, and Pfizer's profits are up but sales are down. The company is compensating for looming patent expirations with layoffs and restructuring; is it enough to boost sales?

GSK is being ordered to pay $2.5 million in restitution to a Pennsylvania family. The firm was accused of not doing enough to warn consumers that taking the antidepressant Paxil, while pregnant, could lead to birth defects.

Sandoz Shire Pharmaceuticals announced that it would allow Sandoz to market a generic version of its blockbuster ADHD med Adderall XR if it can clear FDA. But that's a big if.

Sure, industry growth is at "historically low levels," but at least pharma is still growing. The industry's market value should surpass $825 billion in 2010, and forecasted growth was bumped up one percentage point from original estimates.

Pulling off an incredibly fast turnaround, the pharma industry has released a vaccine for the H1N1 virus, bolstering its bottom line with a second flu vaccine and potentially helping millions of people. So why is there such an uproar over whether it's safe?