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Reports that increased drug spending is creating a funding crisis in health care. Spending on prescribed drugs in primary care grew by 10% between 2001 and 2002, and many primary care trusts are facing a major gap in funding, a report from the Audit Commission says. The report says that drugs linked to national service frameworks and National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines account for, almost half of this rise in spending. Overall spending rose by 7% but there was a 25% increase in drugs in four particular categories.

Reports that the MAP Foundation, a charity that uses the creative arts to express the issues surrounding serious illness and dying, was launched in London, England. Aim of the MAP Foundation to develop arts based workshops for patients, carers, and health professionals and to promote the importance of expressing feelings in the face of life threatening illnesses; Relationship between the foundation and former cancer patient Michele Angelo Petrone.

Reports on the plight of Professor Liam Donaldson, a chief medical officer from England, to promote a non-traditional doctor-patient relationship. His views that doctors should act as servants to their patients; Suggestion that patients are a valuable resource; Importance of listening to patients' opinions on their care.

Reports on a public demonstration by doctors, nurses, and other health specialists in Great Britain to protest against a possible war in Iraq. Participation in the demonstration by staff from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, members of Medact, the pressure group of health professionals, and the Medical Practitioners' Union; Health costs which could result from a war; Perception that health professionals have a role in speaking against the war to draw attention to likely health consequences.

Addresses the issue of age discrimination and health care. Guide published by the King's Fund in Great Britain; Lack of expertise in recognizing ageism as the problem; Statement that tackling age discrimination is low on the agenda for many health and social care organizations.

Reports criticism of United States President George W. Bush for not pledging more money to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Indication from his state-of-the-union address that the U.S. will give $15billion to combat AIDS, but Global Fund only gets $1billion of it; View of Gro Harlem, director general of the World Health Organization, that $10billion is needed annually to control the AIDS epidemic; Background on Global Fund, its finances and programs.

Reports that the Medicines Control Agency in Great Britain has recommended that children under 16 should not be given aspirin because of its links with Reye's syndrome. Previous ban for the use of aspirin in children under the age of 12; Recommendation for warning labels on aspirin products.