Pharmaceuticals
A contaminated-waste epidemic is quickly following the pandemic
The pandemic reignited demand for plastic packaging and single-use items like masks, gloves and test kits. Now countries are struggling to deal with them.
- by Heesu Lee
Latest
Health
Multimillion-dollar grant for Queensland research into superbug drugs
A UQ research team will get $16 million to develop a new antibiotic, as the global fight against superbugs becomes more urgent.
- by Stuart Layt
Coronavirus pandemic
'Encouraging, useful, helpful': Australian health experts welcome UK steroid trial results
The common and cheap steroid was shown to reduce deaths in seriously ill COVID-19 patients.
- by Rachel Clun
Coronavirus pandemic
The first COVID-19 vaccines may not prevent infection with coronavirus
Desperation for a way to keep economies from collapsing under the weight of COVID-19 could mean settling for a vaccine that prevents people from getting really sick or dying but doesn't stop them from catching the coronavirus.
- by John Lauerman and James Paton
Coronavirus pandemic
$330b wealth manager bets on coronavirus vaccine before year-end
One of Europe's most-recognised asset managers says there's an 80 per cent chance a vaccine to prevent COVID-19 will arrive later this year, a key development that could presage a recovery for the global economy.
- by John Ainger
Mergers & acquisitions
A new pharma king? AstraZeneca approaches Gilead about potential merger: report
In what would be the biggest healthcare deal on record, AstraZeneca has reportedly made a preliminary approach to rival drugmaker Gilead Sciences about a potential merger.
- by Ed Hammond, Aaron Kirchfeld and Dinesh Nair
Coronavirus pandemic
From 'snake oil' to COVID-19 killer? Supplement tested in bid to fight virus
The team behind a government-funded trial hopes the OM85 capsule - once dubbed 'voodoo and snake oil' by sceptics - may boost the immune system.
- by Liam Mannix
Amazon
Amazon intensifies push into Australian pharmacy with trademark application
Amazon Australia has filed two new trademarks relating to pharmaceuticals and healthcare in recent months despite opposition from the influential Pharmacy Guild.
- by Dominic Powell and Emma Koehn
Healthcare
Painkiller packs cut down to size as opioid crackdown intensifies
From next week it will become even harder for people to get access to high-strength painkillers such as oxycodone and codeine.
- by Aisha Dow
Coronavirus pandemic
Trial begins of arthritis drug to treat critical COVID-19 patients
The trial will look into whether the anti-inflammatory can help patients who are experiencing serious lung inflammation from the late stage of the disease.
- by Stuart Layt
Exclusive
Coronavirus pandemic
Australia lacks vaccine-making capacity, Defence report warns
Australia lacks the facilities and know-how to make its own pandemic vaccines, a report says, raising fears we may have to wait years for another country to supply us with a COVID-19 vaccine.
- by Liam Mannix