[JURIST] The Food and Drug Administration [official website] announced Tuesday that it will create an independent drug safety board, in response to criticism in the wake of the Vioxx recall. The FDA already has an Office of Drug Safety [official website], but lawmakers have said it lacks sufficient independence and resources. The proposed board would include representatives from the FDA as well as medical oversight experts from other agencies like the Veterans Administration, and would consult with patient and consumer groups. The Bush administration has already proposed a 24 percent increase in funding for the Office of Drug Safety in its 2006 budget proposal. Reuters has more.