Latest from Medicine

LSD tests raise hope for mental illness

Psychedelic drugs may find a place in the treatment of mental illness, say researchers who injected LSD into people and monitored their brains.

The real oil on Helen Kelly

Steve Braunias sat with Helen Kelly, New Zealand's leading campaigner for medical cannabis, as she had chemotherapy this week.

Pike River widow: 'I'm ready for jail if it eases my pain'

Pike River widow Anna Osborne is set to self-medicate with medicinal marijuana - even if the move turns her into a criminal.

Legacy of Gallipoli soldiers' dysentery

Most of the 120,000 casualties evacuated from Gallipoli were suffering from dysentery.

Joshua Freeman and George Laking: Threat to medicine pipeline in TPP

COMMENT: The cost and availability of expensive new medicines like Keytruda are still at risk from the TPP despite government assurances.

Nano Girl Michelle Dickinson: NZ could be medicinal cannabis pioneer

As a daughter who has watched her father lose his battle with cancer, I am empathetic to families who try to access cannabis products illegally, writes Michelle Dickinson.

Pharmacy blunder: Baby given overdose

An infant was given drugs 10 times stronger than they should have been after a pharmacy misread a prescription.

Larry Williams: Cancer drug debate not solved by wild spending

Audrey Young: Govt's hands-off stance is fine - if people aren't dying

It sounds hollow, hypocritical and heartless every time National says that decisions on funding must be left to Pharmac, writes Audrey Young.

It's about how much you want to pay

Painkillers work by blocking enzymes everywhere in the body, not just in the area causing pain.

Editorial: Govt ought to keep clear on medicines

Two petitions are circulating for the funding of the new immunotherapy drug against melanoma, Keytruda.

Rich-lister turns to unfunded Keytruda

Sir Douglas Myers is spending tens of thousands of dollars every month on chemotherapy drugs, including the new wonder drug Keytruda.

Robot help for victims

Stroke sufferers could soon have their movements aided by a high-tech robotic exoskeleton being developed with the help of New Zealand researchers.

Pharmac's focus: getting best value

The price for one year of perfect health for a NZ patient turned out to be $35,714 in Pharmac's funding of new medicines in the last financial year.

Push to curb Paracetamol sales

Two medical researchers are calling for tighter controls on paracetamol sales after their hospital audit found it is the drug of choice for self-harm, especially among teenage girls.

Twelve Questions: Amy Chan

It was absolutely astounding to see kids were able to play more sports and had less wheezing and coughing.

Robin Hood doc disciplined

A real-life Robin Hood, who saves lives in the world's poorest countries, has been disciplined for practising without a certificate.

Womb transplants given green light in UK

Ten women will receive womb transplants following surgeons in the UK getting the green light to start treatment.