Latest from Pharmaceuticals

Does female Viagra work?

It's said to cure women's low libido by making sex more pleasurable. But with fears over side-effects, many doctors are sceptical.

George Laking: Trade deal widens health care gap

New Zealand is heading towards a two-tier health system, and it could get a whole lot worse, writes George Laking.

Editorial: Dunne's assurances on cannabis mean little

Peter Dunne was keen to stress that his approval should not be construed as setting a wider precedent. But how can it not be?

Pharmacist guilty of selling morphine

A former pharmacist who was found guilty of selling and supplying drugs to clients had his registration cancelled by the Health Practitioner's Disciplinary Tribunal.

Calls to ban 'harmful' codeine

Panadeine, Nurofen Plus and other medicines containing codeine should be banned from over-the-counter sales, say top pain medicine experts.

Kiwi cancer drug rescued

A promising lung cancer drug has been rescued by a new American sponsor after a potentially disastrous finding of "unacceptable toxicity" in some patients.

Ointment linked to superbug rise

An ointment used to treat common childhood skin infections is driving the rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

Pharmacist's error postpones IVF

A woman's fertility procedure had to be abandoned because she was taking the wrong medication, owing to a mistake by a pharmacist.

Medtronic biggest yet to renounce US tax citizenship

Medical device maker Medtronic, is poised to become the biggest firm to escape the US tax system by shifting its incorporation abroad.

15 babies poisoned by hospital drips

One baby has died and 14 others are fighting for their lives after being poisoned in NHS neonatal care units in the UK.

Cocaine now on tap in British homes

It's been found on nearly every bank note in the UK, in toilets at Parliament - now tests confirm cocaine traces are in Britain's drinking water.

Pharmacy surcharges hard to swallow

Holidaymakers needing urgent medication over the holiday period are being stung by pharmacy surcharges.

Kiwis benefit from Thalidomide lawsuit

A class action by Australian and New Zealand victims of the morning sickness drug thalidomide against its manufacturer has been settled for $81 million.

Household products make fish unafraid of predators - researchers

Lessons from mean streets of London

I was born in Kent, England and self-educated by reading Encyclopedia Britannica in public libraries, while living rough on the streets of London.

'Pink Viagra' on way to pep up women's sex drive

A Dutch company called Emotional Brain claims early trials of a new drug, Lybrido, show promise for women in the treatment of loss of sexual desire and that "pink Viagra" could be on the market as early as 2016.