As investors pile into psychedelics, idealism gives way to pharma economics

As investors pile into psychedelics, idealism gives way to pharma economics

Money is pouring into the fledgling psychedelic medicine industry, with dozens of startup companies vying to be among the first to sell mind-expanding drugs for depression, addiction and other mental health conditions. While psychedelics are still illegal under federal law, companies are jostling to try and patent key ingredients found in magic mushrooms, ayahuasca and … Read more

Miracle cures: Online conspiracy theories are creating a new age of unproven medical treatments

Miracle cures: Online conspiracy theories are creating a new age of unproven medical treatments

BUTLER, Pa. — The hotel on the outskirts of town looks a lot like lodging one can find on any American highway. Over the years it has been a Holiday Inn and a Days Inn. The sign outside now bears the brand of a new, growing chain. One that promises a lot more than a … Read more

Biogen plans to shut down its controversial Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm

Biogen plans to shut down its controversial Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm

Biogen will stop developing its Alzheimer’s treatment Aduhelm, a drug once seen as a potential blockbuster before stumbling soon after its launch a couple years ago. The drugmaker said Wednesday that it will end a study of the drug needed for full approval from the Food and Drug Administration, and it will stop sales of … Read more

Robitussin maker recalls several lots of cough syrup due to possible high levels of yeast

Robitussin maker recalls several lots of cough syrup due to possible high levels of yeast

WASHINGTON — The maker of Robitussin cough syrup is recalling several lots of products containing honey due to contamination that could pose a serious risk to people with weakened immune systems. Haleon’s recall covers eight lots of Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult and Robitussin Honey CF Max Nighttime Adult, which were distributed to stores … Read more

Bill decriminalizing drug test strips in opioid-devastated West Virginia heads to governor

Bill decriminalizing drug test strips in opioid-devastated West Virginia heads to governor

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A bill that would decriminalize all the strips used to test deadly drugs in West Virginia, the state with the nation’s highest overdose rate, is headed to the desk of Republican Gov. Jim Justice. Justice hasn’t said publicly whether he supports the bill, which has received bipartisan support. The proposal follows a … Read more

What are the symptoms of an enlarged prostate and how is it treated?

What are the symptoms of an enlarged prostate and how is it treated?

The announcement that King Charles III was admitted to a private hospital Friday to undergo a procedure for an enlarged prostate has sparked interest in what is an extremely common condition among older men. The 75-year-old monarch is in good company. About half of men in their 50s have enlarged prostates and that prevalence climbs … Read more

Millions in the UK are being urged to get vaccinations during a surge in measles cases

Millions in the UK are being urged to get vaccinations during a surge in measles cases

LONDON — U.K. health officials on Monday urged millions of parents to book their children for missed measles, mumps and rubella shots during a sharp increase in the number of measles cases and the lowest vaccination rates in a decade. The National Health Service is launching a publicity campaign after figures showed there were about … Read more

Cameroon starts world’s first malaria vaccine program for children

Cameroon starts world’s first malaria vaccine program for children

Cameroon will be the first country to routinely give children a new malaria vaccine as the shots are rolled out in Africa. The campaign due to start Monday was described by officials as a milestone in the decades-long effort to curb the mosquito-spread disease on the continent, which accounts for 95% of the world’s malaria … Read more

Wastewater tests can find mpox, study finds. Expect more bugs to be tracked that way

Wastewater tests can find mpox, study finds. Expect more bugs to be tracked that way

NEW YORK — Wastewater testing does a good job at detecting mpox infections, U.S. health officials said in a report Thursday that bolsters a push to use sewage to track more diseases. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers found that over the course of a week, there was a 32% likelihood the tests … Read more

NY midwife who gave kids homeopathic pellets instead of vaccines fined $300K for falsifying records

NY midwife who gave kids homeopathic pellets instead of vaccines fined 0K for falsifying records

NEW YORK — A New York midwife who gave nearly 1,500 children homeopathic pellets instead of required vaccinations has been fined $300,000, the state’s health department announced this week. Jeanette Breen, who operates Baldwin Midwifery on Long Island, administered the pellets as an alternative to vaccinations and then falsified their immunization records, the agency said … Read more