Eczema medication costing families thousands due to PBS age limit
By Nicola Ceccato

The cost of relief for kids under 12 with severe eczema is $1,600 a month, but a push for PBS funding is looking to change that.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-22/push-for-cheaper-eczema-medication-for-kids/106581348

#Pharmaceuticals #Skin #GovernmentFunding #NicolaCeccato

Rivers, wildlife and raw sewage

Cocaine pollution in rivers and lakes may disrupt behaviour of salmon, study finds
"Traces of cocaine that pollute rivers and lakes may accumulate in the brains of salmon and disrupt their behaviour, according to researchers who warn of unknown consequences for fish populations."

“Better wastewater management, particularly reduced raw sewage discharges, could help lower any risks to wildlife and their ecosystems."

"Existing wastewater treatment efficiently removes many illicit drugs, including cocaine and benzoylecgonine, but a main source in waterways is raw sewage that can come from storm overflows and misconnects in household plumbing."
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https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/apr/20/cocaine-pollution-may-disrupt-behaviour-of-salmon-study-suggests
#rivers #pollution #RawSewage #infrastructure #drugs #pharmaceuticals #biodiversity #wildlife #fish

A crisis of social reproduction

“We are living in a world that is the most cognitively demanding world that there has ever been...So it is unsurprising that people feel that they are overwhelmed. They can’t focus. They can’t concentrate because that is the world we live in.”
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https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-21/women-adhd-medication-overtake-men-australia-data-four-corners/106583242
#zeitgeist #CareWork #CrisisOfCare #women #gender #ReproductiveLabour #DoubleBurden #CareDeficit #austerity #overwhelmedness #speed #ClimateCrisis #lifeworld #pharmaceuticals #medication #SocialTransition

More Australian women than men are now getting ADHD medication
By Norman Swan, Inga Ting, Amy Donaldson, Amy Greenbank, Kate Ainsworth, Katia Shatoba, Lara Sonnenschein, and Thomas Brettell

Within the sharp increase of ADHD rates in Australia lies a hidden story — more women are being prescribed medication than men. Understanding why is more complicated.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-21/women-adhd-medication-overtake-men-australia-data-four-corners/106583242

#ADHD #Pharmaceuticals #MedicalResearch #WomensHealth #NormanSwan #IngaTing #AmyDonaldson #AmyGreenbank #KateAinsworth #KatiaShatoba #LaraSonnenschein # #ThomasBrettell

The neighbourhoods where ADHD rates are skyrocketing
By Norman Swan, Inga Ting, Amy Donaldson, Amy Greenbank, Kate Ainsworth, Katia Shatoba, Lara Sonnenschein, and Thomas Brettell

ADHD diagnoses in adults have exploded across Australia since 2017. For the first time, we have the data that shows where it is — and isn't — happening.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-20/adhd-diagnosis-rates-adults-australia-data-four-corners/106557646

#ADHD #Pharmaceuticals #MentalHealth #MedicalResearch #NormanSwan #IngaTing #AmyDonaldson #AmyGreenbank #KateAinsworth #KatiaShatoba #LaraSonnenschein # #ThomasBrettell