When GlaxoSmithKline announced a series of initiatives to improve access to drugs in least-developed countries, its most radical proposal was for a “patent pool” to generate research into neglected diseases. Meanwhile, Unitaid was designing its own pool, focused on AIDS research. In Nairobi Xan Rice looks at progress on the two pools and GSK’s other proposals
14 Jul 10 Comments (1)
As the disturbing growth in treatment of children for bipolar disorder shows, psychiatry’s overreliance on drugs – and especially newer, less effective and less well-tested drugs – is needlessly putting patients at risk, writes psychiatrist Nicholas Z. Rosenlicht in San Francisco. And Adelaide-based psychiatrist Peter Parry looks at the Australian implications
12 May 10 Comments (0)
Rationalising federal–state relations could make governments less not more accountable, argues Anthony Sibillin
31 Mar 10 Comments (0)
BOOKS | Ken Hillman reviews The Checklist Manifesto, by surgeon and New Yorker writer Atul Gawande
29 Mar 10 Comments (1)
Kevin Rudd’s hospital plan kicks off what looks like being a long battle, writes James Gillespie
09 Mar 10 Comments (2)
Amid renewed calls for mass vaccinations in Australia, Melissa Sweet looks at the latest chapter in the international debate about swine flu and its implications for future public health campaigns
03 Feb 10 Comments (4)
How did such a poorly proven intervention become a routine end to many people’s lives, asks Ken Hillman in this extract from his recent book
21 Jan 10 Comments (4)
GlaxoSmithKline created waves last year with a promise of cheaper drugs and patent waivers in developing countries. In this special report Qudsiya Karrim in Johannesburg looks at what the pledge means in practice
09 Jan 10 Comments (0)
BOOKS | Brett Evans reviews Barbara Ehrenreich’s book about the dark side of positive thinking, and how it helped create the global financial crisis
09 Dec 09 Comments (3)
BOOKS | Ian Anderson reviews Peter Sutton’s unsettling account of Indigenous policy, The Politics of Suffering
23 Nov 09 Comments (0)
Can Democrats in the US Senate use the same techniques as their colleagues in the House to turn healthcare reforms into law, asks Lesley Russell
10 Nov 09 Comments (2)
The prognosis for healthcare reform in the United States is improving by the day, writes Lesley Russell in Washington
29 Oct 09 Comments (0)
The British debate over breastfeeding in public reveals a puzzling double standard, writes Frank Bongiorno in London
15 Oct 09 Comments (2)
Misunderstandings about organ transplants are contributing to Australia’s unsustainably low donor rates, writes surgeon Chris Merry
30 Sep 09 Comments (2)
The Medicare Select proposal has opened up a new front in the health debate. Melissa Sweet talks to supporters and sceptics
21 Sep 09 Comments (7)
The United States’ acrimonious healthcare debate is having almost as much impact across the Atlantic, where the National Health Service has become a rallying point for both major parties, writes Frank Bongiorno in London
04 Sep 09 Comments (0)
The United States is on the brink of major reforms to make healthcare more accessible and affordable. But the reformers still have a fight on their hands, writes Lesley Russell
14 Aug 09 Comments (0)
Six months into his presidency, Barack Obama is facing the first major legislative test of his administration, Simon Jackman tells Peter Clarke
20 Jul 09 Comments (0)
The panic was shortlived, so it’s a good time to get swine flu into perspective, writes Chris Merry
13 May 09 Comments (0)
Feeling responsible for a patient’s illness makes it harder for a doctor to give bad news empathetically, writes GP Jacinta Halloran
29 Apr 09 Comments (1)
Two new reports spell out pragmatic and overdue reforms to Australia’s anti-terrorism laws. But does the political will exist to act, ask Jessie Blackbourn and Nicola McGarrity
Europe’s carbon pricing woes cast further doubt on the credibility of Australia’s scheme and on Treasury’s forecasts of the revenue it will reap for the budget, writes Fergus Green
