Global health

Anaesthesiologists call on UN to resist making ketamine a controlled substance

The World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA) has called for support to protect the status of the anaesthetic ketamine as an essential medicine.  The plea comes in response to repeated attempts by China and other south-east Asian countries that have problems with ketamine…

European region most sceptical of vaccine safety, study finds

Results of an international study suggest that lack of confidence, rather than lack of access, is the main barrier to vaccination in some countries.…

US$1 test card can detect poor quality ceftriaxone antibiotic

A paper-based tool that can be used to detect counterfeit or degraded medicines and costs around US$1 is effective in detecting poor quality samples of the injectable antibiotic ceftriaxone.…

Ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030: can it be done?

Luiz Loures from the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) talks about ending the epidemic, and the challenges in fighting the disease that has claimed over 34 million lives.…

Cases of Zika virus infection detected in Scotland

Five people in Scotland have been diagnosed with Zika virus infection, the Scottish government has confirmed.…

FIP issues guidance on maintaining access to drugs during natural disasters

The first global guidelines that support continued access to medicines and pharmacy expertise during natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods and heat waves, have been released by the International Pharmaceutical Federation.…

New global HIV infections plateau at 2.6 million per year

The number of people who have become infected with HIV has stayed at around 2.6 million each year over the past decade, new figures reveal.…

WHO delivers medicines to conflict zones in Syria and Iraq

The World Health Organization announced on 17 June 2016 that it has successfully delivered tonnes of medical aid into two besieged areas in Syria…

Lower doses of yellow fever vaccine could be used in emergencies, says WHO

An expert panel of the World Health Organization (WHO) has advised that lowering the dosage of yellow fever vaccine could control an outbreak while avoiding vaccine shortages…

Cameron pledges to halve inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics

GPs in the UK will be expected to cut inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics by 50% by 2020, according to a new target announced by Prime Minister David Cameron.…