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Medicine

Medicine
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Medicine. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
The “Wolverine Stack”, named after the Marvel superhero, is an example of peptide stacking that combines two peptides: one known for healing-promoting effects and another that is anti-inflammatory. Photo: Marvel Entertainment
Wellness

Healing like Wolverine? Why peptide stacking is taking off and risks involved

Taking multiple synthetic peptides to target goals like weight loss, muscle growth and injury recovery is not without its risks, experts say.

Wellness

Do you feel more anxious after googling symptoms? You could have cyberchondria

Wellness

Letters | Why lifestyle medicine belongs in Asia’s nasopharyngeal cancer conversation

Science

China’s thalassaemia jab raises hope for common inherited blood disorder

Original therapy integrating stem cell tech and gene editing could treat a blood disorder with 350 million carriers worldwide.

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Professor Chen Jia (centre), the brain behind the development of the CS-101 therapy. Photo: Handout
Wellness

Are you ageing well? 5 simple tests to get a picture of your biological age

Particularly useful for over-50s, these simple physical tests can give you a better idea of your biological age and highlight any red flags.

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World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO approves first malaria treatment for babies

Up to now, infants have been given formulations for older children – carrying a greater risk of dose errors, side effects and toxicity.

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United States

US FDA plans ultra-fast review of 3 psychedelic drugs after Trump directive

The recent moves on psychedelics reflect growing popular support for the mind-altering substances among Trump’s supporters.

US President Donald Trump holds an executive order about easing restrictions on mental health treatments, including ibogaine, which he signed, in the Oval Office of the White House on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
United States

US reclassifies certain marijuana products as a less-dangerous drug

It is one of the most significant federal changes to marijuana policy in decades, removing barriers to ‌researching the drug’s potential use.

China’s private sector

How China’s ‘landmark’ drug pricing guidelines could be a boon for biotech

State Council calls for ‘value-based pricing’ for innovative drugs, a move researchers said would benefit private healthcare players.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Hong Kong’s spinal muscular atrophy patients seek aid for injection therapy

Oral medicine subsidies for patients aged 25 or above began early this year but adults still lack public funding for injections.

The Hong Kong Neuro-Muscular Association is calling for expanded medication subsidies for adults with spinal muscular atrophy. Photo: Jess Ma
Wellness

What menopause products actually work? Doctors share how to buy wisely

From skin serums and rings to lotions and gadgets, products promising to help women with menopause symptoms are everywhere now.

Wrinkle-prevention skin care products are just some of the products being aggressively marketed to women entering their menopause. Doctors explain how to “navigate the marketing onslaught”. Photo: Shutterstock
Hong Kong society

Editorial | HKUST study to decode longevity is the stuff of frontier science

The study could help lay the groundwork for personalised health management strategies, revolutionising how societies approach ageing.

United States

Trump signs order to speed up review of psychedelics

This would expedite review of drugs such as ibogaine, a drug that US military ‌veteran groups have said can help ⁠treat PTSD.

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Wellness

Got knee pain? How exercise can help you avoid surgery, as a rugby player found

Exercise and other therapies are often preferred treatment alternatives to knee replacement surgery. Rob Naylor experienced this first-hand.

Tim McCosker (kneeling), a physiotherapist at CoreOFit Physio, works with his patient, former Hong Kong rugby player Rob Naylor, at the clinic in Causeway Bay. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Wellness

Do you have trouble visualising things? Maybe you have aphantasia

Aphantasia is the inability to visualise objects or scenarios in the mind, a condition affecting up to 4 per cent of people.

Aphantasia is the inability to create mental images in your “mind’s eye”. When sufferers attempt to visualise memories or objects, they often describe the result as having a “blank screen” in their mind. Photo: dpa
Asian diaspora

All 7 are dentists and hot. The Asian-American family blowing up social media

The Chen family shot to social media stardom over their shared career, good looks and closeness – all achieved without tiger parenting.

Bangladesh

Vaccine coverage gaps spur Bangladesh’s deadly measles outbreak

Health authorities launched an emergency vaccine campaign on Sunday, with UN agencies aiming to protect more than 1.2 million children.

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Wellness

Hong Kong hairstylist’s cancer battle takes him on a crowdfunding campaign

Pitt Cheung and his brother Lego have so far raised thousands for nasopharyngeal cancer treatments not covered by Hong Kong’s public system.

An August 2025 post on nasopharyngeal cancer patient Pitt Cheung’s Instagram account shows him holding a placard bearing a blessing written in Mongolian. Photo: Instagram/pittcheung
Wellness

Hypertension’s link to dementia calls for stronger blood pressure control

Links between dementia and hypertension are reasons to keep blood pressure under tighter control – sooner rather than later.

Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

New Kai Tak Hospital to open in 2 phases starting in October

With 2,400 beds, Hong Kong’s largest public hospital will serve patients in Kowloon.

Wellness

Just 1 hour. How a single therapy session can help you overcome a problem

Experts and patients alike praise single-session therapy, which offers a more targeted approach to counselling while saving money and time.

In single-session therapy, a counsellor helps the client identify concrete steps towards relieving a specific problem with the intention of not completely solving it, but rather to help clients walk away with a toolbox of strategies for how to approach it. Photo: Shutterstock
India

Opinion | Asia’s flood of cheap Ozempic generics opens gates to weight-loss abuse

Cheaper semaglutides as patent ends is good news for diabetics. But lax regulation also means a risk of abuse by those desperate to lose weight.

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An advert for Eli Lilly’s obesity awareness campaign is seen on a building in Gurugram, India, on December 16. Photo: Reuters
Biomedicine: Companies

Global drug makers face pricing pressure as China targets affordable healthcare

As pharmaceutical firms navigate China’s aggressive pricing reforms, their profits could be squeezed further this year.

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India

Here comes the ‘Mounjaro bride’: Indian pre-wedding prep includes obesity drug

Many Indian marriages are arranged by families, often bringing expectations around physical appearance and financial status.

Science

How China’s ‘pig semen eyedrop’ may help deliver Alzheimer’s treatment

Cutting-edge therapy could enable drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier making it suitable for dementia treatment, Adelaide researcher says.

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Pigs were chosen for the research because their tissue structure is similar to that of humans, and their supply is abundant. Photo: Shutterstock
Wellness

How a 70-year-old retired teacher defied osteoporosis to become a powerlifter

Hongkonger Anjali Hazari used to run marathons and climb mountains before major knee and abdominal surgeries. Now she has a new challenge.

Anjali Hazari, a former marathoner and mountaineer, trains at the Stanley Ho Sports Centre complex in Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, ahead of her first powerlifting competition. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong healthcare and hospitals

Orthopaedist rebuked over performing bunion surgery without informed consent

Medical Council finds Dr Daniel Wu guilty of performing unconventional syndesmosis procedure on patient without describing benefits and concerns.

Biomedicine: Companies

China biotech deals hit record as innovative drugs draw global interest

Deals reach US$60 billion in first quarter after analysts say Chinese biotech firms have shown substantial technological advancements.

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