For older people and frail people, the long-term benefit of medicines reduces and the potential for harm from adverse effects increases. When the benefit–risk balance changes in this way, medicine review and optimisation are important to simplify the therapeutic regimen, reduce inappropriate medicines and minimise risks. In this article, pharmacist prescriber Linda Bryant uses two case studies to illustrate important considerations during medicine reviews
Risks of medical tourism, and first chikungunya vaccine
Risks of medical tourism, and first chikungunya vaccine

This article looks at the risks associated with medical tourism, particularly when travelling overseas for cosmetic surgery. It then discusses the immunogenicity and safety of the first vaccine to prevent disease caused by chikungunya virus
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa
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1. Hudson M, Matos JA, Alvarez B, et al. Deaths of U.S. citizens undergoing cosmetic surgery – Dominican Republic, 2009-2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73(3):62–65.
2. Schneider M, Narciso-Abraham M, Hadl S, et al. Safety and immunogenicity of a single-shot live-attenuated chikungunya vaccine: a double-blind, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet 2023;401(10394):2138–47.