According to a recent study, those with a family history of cancer could cut their risk of developing the disease by taking a daily dose of aspirin.

Women who undergo fertility treatment involving fertility drugs and IVF are more likely to develop ovarian tumours, according to a study undertaken by Dutch researchers.

98 people in Britain have died recently after taking the designer party drug mephedrone.

Chlorine bleach is a common item in the household cleaning cupboard. But this very toxic chemical is also produced by white blood cells in our bodies during inflammation in numerous diseases. Now potential new drugs may be targeted against bleach thanks to novel research by University of Otago, Christchurch, researchers.

The Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices in the US voted to recommend routine use of the Gardasil vaccine on 11 and 12-year-old boys to help prevent the human papillomavirus – a sexually transmitted virus that causes oral, anal and penile cancers.

According to data analysed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, more than one in ten Americans above the age of 12 take an antidepressant.

Veterinary drugs, which could prove lethal if misused, have been stolen during a burglary in Hawera overnight.

A member of the New Zealand First party has been dropped after appearing on a 20/20 TV exposé of extreme diets.

Infestations of house dust mites on children’s soft toys can be eradicated by freezing, hot tumble drying or washing with eucalyptus oil and detergent according to new research by the University of Otago, Wellington.

In 2002, the Government made Fantasy or GHB and GBL a class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Its use was widespread in New Zealand. Popularly known as the Date Rape drug, a term hyped by the Media, it was widely used by body-builders as well. In making the law the Government made no commitment to treat those who had been using the drug when it was perfectly legal. As with many drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, it is addictive. Within a year the police set about prosecuting these addicted people who were still bringing in the drug.

Two products that help treat erectile dysfunction and enhance sexual performance have been recalled by Medsafe, and New Zealand consumers have been advised to stop taking the products immediately.

GPs and pharmacists agree that the good of the patient and evidence-based medicine should form the basis of all health care advice provided.

Scientists in Spain have identified a vaccine that could help reduce the HIV virus's effect on the body.

Beijing, China – The spread of unsafe and counterfeit medicines is a serious problem and a coordinated global effort is needed to address this public health threat.

A world-wide study involving University of Sydney researchers has concluded that a costly and controversial treatment for neonatal sepsis is ineffective. Neonatal sepsis - a leading cause of infant death - is a blood infection in newborn babies.

Following a study of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) undertaken by a team from the Hull York Medical School, it was found that those using diclofenac have 40 per cent more risk of suffering from a heart attack or stroke.

While the world knows several ways of preventing transmission of HIV, a safe and effective vaccine is still lacking on the list. For years researchers around the world have been working on the development of such a vaccine in a challenging, step by step process. But they have reason for optimism. During this year's AIDS Vaccine 2011 conference (Bangkok, September 12-15) more than 400 new studies outlining advances in the search for an AIDS vaccine were presented.

Whether you are against politicians helping Pharma loot our health care dollars or mandatory medicine, Texas Governor Rick Perry's facilitation of Merck's Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil, has angered Repubicans and Democrats alike.

Medical researcher Professor Shaun Holt has announced what is believed to be the world's largest programme of research on the medical uses of honey.

The Ministry of Health must immediately recall and review the potentially life threatening Gardasil vaccine after 100% of 13 samples from several countries including New Zealand tested positive for HPV DNA and may remain in circulation.(1)