Sigma starts turnaround

AFTER two years of hefty losses at Sigma Pharmaceuticals, Mark Hooper is confident he can return the ailing drugs wholesaler to profitability.

Sigma can see beyond loss to better days

AFTER two years of hefty losses, Mark Hooper is confident he can make the ailing drugs wholesaler Sigma Pharmaceuticals profitable again.

Pan bungle cost tops $122m

THE cost of the federal government's botched handling of

Pan debacle yields further $67.5m payout

THE cost of the federal government's botched handling of the now-defunct complementary medicines manufacturer Pan Pharmaceuticals has topped $122.5 million following the settlement of a class action yesterday.

Fear on methadone doctor shortage

THE number of Victorians dying from drug overdoses or suicide will rise if more doctors are not recruited to treat heroin addicts and tackle a crisis in the state's methadone prescribing service, drug experts warn.

Self-restraint in world of excess

WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY Daniel Akst Scribe, 303pp, $32.95

Tablets emerge as new uni tool

A technological revolution is gathering pace in Australia's universities. Geoff Maslen reports.

tv previews

How Earth Made Us Wonders of the Solar System Nurse Jackie Hot Docs: Pray the Devil Back to Hell

Bitter pill when politicians swallow big pharma's spin

Politicians always profess great sympathy for people struggling to keep up with the cost of living but often fail to put that sympathy into practice. Economists like to divide the economy into consumers on one side and producers on the other. They believe the economy should be run for the benefit of consumers, not producers. The consumer is supposed to be king.

Milking another right royal pain

The reason for her majesty's pained facial expression becomes clear.

Column 8

Tim Holmes, of Yass, refers us all to the perennial problem of doona covers eating socks and undies in the washing machine - the irritation of such items winding up inside the cover by the time the wash is done. "The solution is simple," Tim insists. "You put them into the doona cover before you wash, and when the cycle is finished, they've all have managed to escape." We pass this on as part of Column 8's ongoing commitment to improving the quality of life of readers. It's the little things that make a difference, we find.

Priceline part of priceless opportunity

PRICELINE Pharmacy at 427 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn, is part of Burgess Rawson's portfolio auction 58 to be held at Crown Casino on February 23 from 11am. The property has an 11-metre retail frontage to Whitehorse Road, Balwyn's commercial hub, with a rear entrance and access to a 100-space car park at the rear. The property is expected to sell for up to $3.6 million. Selling agent Jamie Perlinger said the auction would feature diverse properties that would appeal to all categories of investor.

Chemists fall foul of Allco virus

THANKS to a flashy financial structure conjured up in the halcyon days of the Allco Finance boys, some 600 Australian chemists are staring down a bill for $1 million apiece.

Gillard's way through the healthcare maze

The Prime Minister hopes her health funding compromise will finally win the support of all state leaders, write Mark Metherell and Phillip Coorey.

Love thy neighbour

NEXT DOOR DINER This old pharmacy is now run by hospitality pros, dispensing food suited to the season, served in style.

Thursday, February 10 - Critic's view

Zumbo SBS One, 7.30pm Ashes to Ashes ABC1, 8.35pm Grey's Anatomy Channel Seven, 8.30pm The Good Wife Channel Ten, 8.30pm

DNA test now in store

LONDON. A new kit for testing paternity will go on sale in Boots high street pharmacy stores in Britain.

Scientist cultivated many interests

MARK ROWE 1943-2011

Gone for gold

With feverish intent and the latest gadgets, Max Anderson catches the next train to the goldfields of Kalgoorlie.

British pharmacies may be given greater dispensing rights

High UK health costs lead to propose legislation of great flexibility for pharmacists