Pharmacology

A pharmacist holds prescription painkiller OxyContin, 40mg pills, made by Purdue Pharma L.D. at a local pharmacy.

Why the opioid crisis is an American problem

Health

America leads the world in drug overdose deaths and opioid consumption. And it has a lot to do with the ways prescription painkillers are advertised and regulated in the US compared to other countries.

Citing failed studies, FDA rejects breast cancer drug

Health & Medicine
Scientists at the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg, Manitoba, prepare an experimental Ebola vaccine for shipment to the World Health Organization.

Many people want to give trial drugs a chance to save their lives. Here’s how they’ll have to do it

Medicine
Nine-year-old Tumelo shows off antiretroviral pills before taking his medication at Nkosi's Haven, south of Johannesburg. Such anti-AIDS drugs are used as part of the cheap, illegal cocktail known as "nyaope."

South Africa’s new drug cocktail of choice is devastating its townships

Health
The World

Senate passes food safety overhaul

Conflict & Justice
Malnutrition1

Malnourished children in sub-Saharan Africa are not getting the life-saving drugs they need

Health & Medicine

A research study last year showed that a simple antibiotic can reduce a severely malnourished child’s chances of dying by nearly 40 percent. But getting that antibiotic to the children who need it is easier said than done.A research study last year showed that a simple antibiotic can reduce a severely malnourished child’s chances of dying by nearly 40 percent. But getting that antibiotic to the children who need it is easier said than done.

The World

Could legalizing medical marijuana boost the economy?

Conflict & Justice

So who benefits financially from the legalization of marijuana? And could legalizing and taxing the drug be a good way to boost local and state economies? Ryan Nerz joins us now to talk about these issues.

Pat Colin, a marine scientist at the Coral Reef Research Foundation, explores the waters off of the Pacific island nation of Palau for organisms to send to the National Cancer Institute in the U.S.

Scientists search Palau’s coral reefs for new anti-cancer drugs

Environment

One of the more potent reasons for saving species and the environment is that nature is where we find our most powerful medicines. For three decades, a hunt’s been underway on land and sea for molecules that could help fight cancer. That hunt is winding down now in the coral reefs of Palau.

A Call for Medical Marijuana Research in the Caribbean

Arts, Culture & Media

For our Geo Quiz–we’re looking for one of the largest island nations in the Caribbean. The island’s tropical climate is just right for growing sugarcane, bananas, citrus trees, and marijuana, or what the locals call “ganja.

North Koreans Substituting Crystal Meth for Medication

Conflict & Justice

North Koreans have been using crystal meth as a substitute for expensive and hard to get medicines. But reporter Jason Strother tells host Marco Werman that the drug is creating a serious addiction problem.