Wellington, Oct 15 NZPA - Drugs used for the treatment of heart disease and erectile disfunction were among the medicines intercepted by customs during a week-long global operation targeting the online sale of counterfeit pharmaceuticals,

New Zealand and over 40 other countries recently took part in an international week of action targeting the online sale of counterfeit and illegal medicines, resulting in arrests across the globe and the seizure of thousands of potentially harmful medicines.

The Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee (PMMRC), a ministerial committee responsible for reviewing maternal and perinatal deaths (babies born between 20 weeks gestation and 28 days of age), announced the release of their fourth report to the Minister of Health today.

Colleagues in public health, representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning.

Renewed engagement to scale-up integrated interventions announced

The price of alcohol has dropped so low over the last decade that it now costs less than bottled water in some cases, a new University of Otago study shows.

By Adam Roberts for NZPA

Wellington, Oct 14 NZPA - We are failing our older generation, and comprehensive changes are needed to fix an aged care sector near crisis point, a report released today says.

Wellington, Oct 15 NZPA - The Government says it is acting to improve aged care after opposition parties' research found serious problems in the sector.

The results of the election of seven members for the Capital and Coast District Health Board have been confirmed by Wellington Electoral Officer Ross Bly.

General practices will be required to see patients' passports to check they qualify for funded- healthcare if a recommendation to that effect is signed off at PSAAP next month.