The following will be published in the Sept 6 issue of The Lancet:

Macular degeneration Ranibizumab, a sight-saving drug for patients with wet age-related macular degeneration, will become accessible to patients in the UK. In a dose-capping scheme, the National Health Service has agreed to fund the first 14 injections for each eye. The manufacturer will meet any additional costs.

Poverty report The World Bank has assessed that 1·4 billion people in the developing world lived in poverty in 2005; this is substantially more than its 2004 estimate of 985 mil­lion people. The figure is based on a newly drawn poverty line of US$1·25, which for the first time is ad­justed for inflation. Although the global poverty rate has fallen from 50% to 25% over the past 25 years, poor people in sub-Saharan Africa have almost doubled in number, to 380 mil­lion, and still make up half the population.

Fake sick notes on the internet A website is selling notes and medical certificates that purport to be from real doctors at NHS medical centres in any part of the UK. The site advertises the notes at £25 for two, with 48 h delivery. The NHS fraud squad has said that anyone who uses a fraudulent document risks prosecution, but that selling the notes is not illegal.

Post-traumatic stress disorder Since the war in Iraq began, post-traumatic stress disorders have become en­demic, and other stress-related mental illnesses are also com­mon. How­ever, psychiatric services have deteriorated. Baghdad’s Central Paediatric Teaching Hospital has now been funded to open a clinic for chil­dren with psychological disorders.

HIV in New York City 72 in every 100 000 people in New York con­tracted HIV in 2006, more than three times the US average of 23 per 100 000. Since re­searchers used new technology to identify recent infections, and a novel statistical model to estimate inci­dence at a population level, these results cannot be used to assess change over time. However, even a rough estimate of incidence will help to understand and combat the spread of HIV.

Research funds diverted A scientific research initiative in South Africa has failed to secure 180 million rand in funding from the national treasury. The South African Research Chairs Initiative was launched 3 years ago to promote research output by creating 210 research chairs by 2010. However, only 18 of 70 positions planned for this year will now be awarded.

End-of-life care Last week, the UK announced a £1 million grant for an institute for research into palliative care at the end of life. The money will help King’s College, London, to establish the Cicely Saunders Institute for Palliative Care, which will be the first in the world to specialise in research into palliative care, education, and support for patients. 

Free AIDS drugs In Malawi, where 59% of deaths in people aged 15-59 years are due to HIV/AIDS, free access to antiretroviral drugs has had a remarkable effect-deaths from this dis­ease have dropped by 75% in the past 4 years. Since 2004, more than 160 000 people have received free treat­ment, and 67% are still alive.

Resistance to antiviral drugs WHO data show that about a third of 788 pa­tients with seasonal influenza who were tested in the past 4 months had a strain that was resistant to the antiviral drug, oseltamivir. Most of these patients were in the southern hemisphere. This rate of resistance was about twice that detected in a larger survey in the northern hemisphere’s most recent influenza season.  

Viral haemorrhagic fever At least three people have died in Herat pro­vince, in Afghanistan, after an outbreak of viral haemorrhagic fever (probably spread by sheep ticks). This disease was first reported on Aug 26, 2008, and ten cases have been confirmed by health officials. Since viral haemor­rhagic fever is so rare in Afghanistan, few resources are available for treatment.

Suicide prevention On World Suicide Prevention Day, on Sept 10, the world will be asked to “think globally, plan nationally, [and] act locally” to prevent suicides. The International Association for Suicide Prevention and WHO aim to raise awareness, to advocate for adequate treatment and follow-up care for people who attempt suicide, and to highlight practical programmes in communities.

Opium cultivation in Afghanistan The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported that the amount of opium grown in Afghanistan this year was only a fifth of what it was last year. UNODC ascribed the drop in cultivation to a drought, and to local leaders who had launched campaigns against opium cultivation and promoted alternative development.

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