February
CSL war games manufacturing network in a world heading for trade war
The ASX-listed giant says it can switch manufacturing sites if Donald Trump imposes tariffs on pharmaceuticals. It expects double-digit earnings growth.
January
Why it’s a bad year for holidaymakers bringing flu home from Europe
Australians holidaying in the northern hemisphere are returning with nasty strains of influenza which experts blame on low immunisation rates since the COVID-19 pandemic.
How Formula 1 engineers turbocharged a $200b public company
Australian CEOs are often shy to talk about how and when they use external consultants. The boss of this big French company, which plays an important role in Australia’s health system, isn’t.
December 2024
Bill Gates believes the world is at a dangerous tipping point
The philanthropist has been fighting global disease for 25 years. He is now wrestling with the optimist’s dilemma.
November 2024
CSL tumbles as investors fear RFK jnr’s vaccine plans
The White House appointment of the anti-vax conspiracy theorist is devastating ASX healthcare and biotech shares as he threatens to turn the FDA ‘on its head’.
October 2024
US-style CDC to co-ordinate response, combat fake news
A new agency will be charged with preparing against infectious disease, after a review found a lack of real-time data reduced trusts in pandemic restrictions.
We should never see such an old-school pandemic response again
At the next pandemic, Australia should focus on key risk groups and be driven by reliable official public data.
September 2024
How Australia crushed the COVID curve and lost the race
This country had one of the best-designed economic responses in the world, and one of the worst vaccine procurement processes.
May 2024
Anti-vax claims flood Senate inquiry. Officials say they’re wrong
The ABS, Health Department and actuaries say there is no evidence to support claims there were more deaths from non-COVID causes due to government vaccine mandates during the pandemic.
February 2024
COVID-19 causes lasting cognitive, memory damage: major study
“Brain fog” was detectable in long and short-term cases, a detailed study suggests.
January 2024
Controlling COVID ‘at all costs’ went too far: ex-deputy health chief
Officials persisted with policies despite the changing nature of the pandemic, while state powers on lockdowns need to be reined in, Dr Nick Coatsworth said.
December 2023
COVID-19 warning ahead of New Year’s Eve parties
Case numbers are soaring across Australia, with experts warning that low testing rates mean infection rates are much higher than official tallies suggest.
October 2023
Crescent Capital claims stake in clinical trials biz Walski
Michael Alscher’s healthcare-focused private equity firm is making another play in its favourite sector.
September 2023
It’s back: UK ramps up COVID jabs amid fears over Pirola variant
The “most concerning variant since omicron” spurs an early start, and more money, for England’s winter vaccination campaign.
May 2023
Needle-free vaccines take the sting out of child immunisation
Results from new clinical trials on young children show injection-free vaccine patches are as safe and as effective as conventional jabs.
April 2023
Flu, COVID-19 jabs encouraged before a ‘triple pandemic’ arrives
Authorities are warning that modelling from the Northern Hemisphere winter indicates the flu season will arrive earlier than expected in Australia and be worse than last year.
February 2023
The summer omicron wave is over but the next one is around the corner
COVID-19 case numbers have bottomed out, but early data shows they are rising again, marking the beginning of a new omicron wave.
Do you really need another COVID-19 vaccine?
On the second anniversary of the start of Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the government is about to launch a new vaccination push. Here are the pros and cons.
January 2023
Critics say COVID-19 jabs kill young men. Do they have proof?
Social media is rife with speculation that the vaccine is responsible for increased deaths. But there’s little evidence for the conspiracies.
BHP could drop vaccination requirement for workers
The mining giant was one of the earliest and longest adopters of compulsory vaccination but is preparing to scale back its mandate at a time when the industry has been hit with skill shortages.