Hallucinogens approved for treating psychiatric disorders: what does the science say?

A group of international experts has undertaken a critique of the clinical trials conducted to date on the value of hallucinogens in treating psychiatric disorders. Milad Fakurian/Unsplash Once sidelined in the 1970s, psychedelic substances – ranging from esketamine (a ketamine derivative) and psilocybin (the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms) to MDMA – are being reintroduced […]

Continue Reading

Ursula von der Leyen Diagnosed with Severe Pneumonia, Cancels January Appointments

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been diagnosed with severe pneumonia and will be unable to fulfill her official duties for the first two weeks of January, her office confirmed on Friday. In a brief statement, a spokesperson stated that von der Leyen is currently managing the illness, but did not disclose further […]

Continue Reading

Viral Unidentified Outbreak in China Leads to Overwhelming Surge in Hospital Admissions: Experts Scramble for Answers

Recent reports indicate that China is grappling with an unidentified viral outbreak, causing a sharp rise in hospital admissions and placing significant strain on healthcare facilities. Hospital footage circulating on social media has revealed crowded emergency rooms, with patients donning face masks and long queues outside pediatric units. Meanwhile, unverified accounts suggest that local funeral […]

Continue Reading

Syria crisis: UN teams support cholera vaccination in northeastern camps

The cholera outbreak was detected in the camp in early October and subsequently confirmed by laboratory tests. Because Al Hol does not have a specialist treatment centre for acute watery diarrhoea, it is crucial that as many people are vaccinated as quickly as possible, the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, insists.  “For the first time we […]

Continue Reading

Statement by WHO Director-General Dr Tedros on evacuations of patients from Gaza 

WHO has repeatedly raised the alarm that patients in Gaza need urgent medical evacuation for life-saving treatment, yet the pace of evacuations remains excruciatingly slow. Only 5383 patients have been evacuated with support from WHO since October 2023, of which only 436 since the Rafah crossing was closed. Over 12,000 people still need medical evacuation. […]

Continue Reading

Digital Health Sector Sees Robust Growth with $2.2 Billion in VC Funding in Q3 2024

The digital health sector witnessed a significant surge in venture capital (VC) funding in the third quarter of 2024, totaling $2.2 billion. This marks the highest funding level since early 2022, according to Emerging Tech Research. This surge has been largely driven by the emergence of seven substantial investment deals, each worth over $100 million, […]

Continue Reading

Dangerous Dietary Supplement “Benikoji Choleste” Linked to Kidney Failure and Deaths: A Wake-Up Call for Regulatory Oversight

In a concerning development from Japan, over 100 individuals have reportedly fallen ill, and at least five have died after consuming a popular dietary supplement, Benikoji Choleste, marketed as a natural remedy for lowering cholesterol. This supplement, sold by Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals, contains red yeast rice (RYR), which naturally contains lovastatin, a substance with cholesterol-lowering properties. […]

Continue Reading

Ireland: Hospital System Strained as Flu Cases Surge, HSE CEO Acknowledges Pressure on Healthcare Services

Over 1,000 people in Ireland are currently hospitalized due to flu-related illnesses, putting significant strain on the country’s healthcare system. This comes as hospitals face a surge in flu cases, with the Health Service Executive (HSE) acknowledging the immense pressure on resources. As of the latest reports, flu-related admissions have caused a sharp rise in […]

Continue Reading

WHO continues to urge China to share data five years after COVID-19

WHO recalled that on 31 December 2019, its Country Office in China picked up a media statement by the Wuhan Municipal Health Commission from their website on cases of “viral pneumonia” in the city. “In the weeks, months and years that unfolded after that, COVID-19 came to shape our lives and our world,” the UN […]

Continue Reading

Israel attacks push Gaza healthcare ‘to brink of collapse’

A report published by the Office documents attacks carried out between 12 October 2023 and 30 June 2024, raises serious concerns about Israel’s compliance with international law. Medical personnel and hospitals are specifically protected under international humanitarian law, provided they do not commit – or are not used to commit, outside their humanitarian function – acts harmful […]

Continue Reading