FDA committee recommends Merck's Fosamax

A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee last week recommendedapproval of Merck's Fosamax drug for the treatment of osteoporosis.If Fosamax is approved by the FDA, it is expected to give a boostto vendors of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scanners,such as Lunar and Hologic. Merck last month announced financingagreements with the companies to help promote sales of bone densitometrydevices (SCAN 7/6/95).