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Latest news: Prescription Drugs

Doctor expected to plead guilty in Friends star's death

Doctor expected to plead guilty in Friends star's death

A doctor charged as part of the investigation into the overdose death of Friends star Matthew Perry is expected to plead guilty.

Common drugs being laced with deadly potent synthetics

Common drugs being laced with deadly potent synthetics

Common drugs being laced with deadly potent synthetics

Common drugs being laced with deadly potent synthetics

Extremely potent synthetics drugs that have already caused dozens of overdose deaths in 2024 are being found in vaping liquid, ecstasy and depressants.

Push to expedite common anti-depressant amid shortages

Push to expedite common anti-depressant amid shortages

Push to expedite common anti-depressant amid shortages

Push to expedite common anti-depressant amid shortages

The common anti-depressant Duloxetine is in short supply with pharmaceutical companies working to expedite shipments to address concerns about its availability.

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Warning opioid-laced cocaine could be a killer

Warning opioid-laced cocaine could be a killer

Cocaine users in Melbourne have been warned their drugs could contain a potentially lethal opioid that could lead to an overdose.

Matthew Perry’s drug death ‘could spark charges'

Matthew Perry’s drug death ‘could spark charges'

As investigations continue into the death of Matthew Perry, a police source says several people might be charged over the shock overdose of the Friends star.

Drug reform pressure mounts as states act on deaths

Drug reform pressure mounts as states act on deaths

Calls for NSW drug-policy changes and a long-promised summit with a focus on harm-minimisation have been prompted by changes in other states.

New hope to cut side effects of anti-psychotic drugs

New hope to cut side effects of anti-psychotic drugs

A new coating for anti-psychotic drugs that mitigates weight gain as a side effect has the potential to change the lives of patients, researchers say.

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National script check system urged after boy's death

National script check system urged after boy's death

National script check system urged after boy's death

National script check system urged after boy's death

A Victorian coroner has recommended changes to the way doctors monitor prescriptions after a 16-year-old boy died following years of "doctor shopping".

Xanax worth $12 million seized in largest NSW bust

Xanax worth $12 million seized in largest NSW bust

Xanax worth $12 million seized in largest NSW bust

Xanax worth $12 million seized in largest NSW bust

Police have seized more than 720kg of Alprazolam, or Xanax, inside a western Sydney storage unit, in NSW's largest single pharmaceutical drugs bust.

Street drugs to be tested for purity, harmful additives

Street drugs to be tested for purity, harmful additives

Street drugs to be tested for purity, harmful additives

Street drugs to be tested for purity, harmful additives

Illicit drugs will be tested for their purity and mix of substances in an inner-city program that will provide detailed analysis to users.

Sport clinic made $100k a week on steroids, court told

Sport clinic made $100k a week on steroids, court told

Sport clinic made $100k a week on steroids, court told

Sport clinic made $100k a week on steroids, court told

A sports medicine clinic owner has been arrested after police alleged he used his business as a front for a multimillion-dollar steroid trafficking business.

Police raid sports medicine clinic in $4m steroid bust

Police raid sports medicine clinic in $4m steroid bust

Police raid sports medicine clinic in $4m steroid bust

Police raid sports medicine clinic in $4m steroid bust

A 55-year-old Melbourne business owner is accused of trafficking steroids after police seized 17 luxury cars and $700,000 in cash.

Boy dies from methadone overdose after medical missteps

Boy dies from methadone overdose after medical missteps

Boy dies from methadone overdose after medical missteps

Boy dies from methadone overdose after medical missteps

Child safety will be prioritised in a review of an opioid treatment program after a six-year-old boy died when he drank his parents' methadone.

Ex-Abbott minister hits out at 'ridiculous MDMA ban'

Ex-Abbott minister hits out at 'ridiculous MDMA ban'

Ex-Abbott minister hits out at 'ridiculous MDMA ban'

Ex-Abbott minister hits out at 'ridiculous MDMA ban'

Andrew Robb, who served as trade minister in the Abbott government, says it beggars belief that NSW has created such tight restrictions on medicinal MDMA.

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Vape shops could close as government eyes sales ban

Vape shops have been put on notice, as the government attempts to ban the sale of e-cigarettes and vapes in coming months,

Greener grass if weed is legal but doctors more blunt

Legalising weed has been touted as a solution to reducing the stigma of users and increasing health benefits as senators hash out the effect of proposed laws.

Caution over psychedelic meds in new approach to trauma

The rollout of psychedelic medication in the treatment of severe mental illness is offering new hope while also posing broader questions on issues like equity.

Fentanyl lies in wait as 'the wolf at Australia's door'

Australia's lack of a fentanyl market is keeping illicit use down, federal police say as health experts warn the drug poses a major threat.

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'World first' ketamine tablet trial to help depression

Adelaide researchers are hoping a world-first trial involving the drug ketamine in tablet form could help tackle treatment-resistant depression.

Bid to ease access to meds for women 'looming disaster'

A parliamentary inquiry has recommended women with urinary tract infections be allowed to access medication without seeing a GP, saving them time and money.

Push to end driving fear for medicinal cannabis users

Roadside drug laws are particularly harsh on rural and outer suburban people who cannot use public transport, but proposed laws could change that.

Accused toddler killer says child was sick before death

Cecil Patrick Kennedy, who is accused of poisoning a toddler, says the child appeared sick while under his care.

Drug found in toddler's autopsy matches police seizure

Police found antidepressants in the home of Cecil Patrick Kennedy after 21-month-old Jordan Thompson died in his care with drugs in his system.

Party drug shows promise as cure for severe depression

There are high hopes the party drug ketamine could be the key to curing severe depression as a last resort measure.

Companies sense opportunity in psychedelic legalisation

Millions of Australians live with mental ill health and companies are gearing up to take advantage of new psychedelics-as-medicine rules.

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