A large quantity of a powerful drug associated with birth defects in the1950s, has gone missing. Ten thousand capsules of Thalidomide have disappeared en route to Palmerston North Hospital. They were being couriered from the supplier and were needed to replenish national stocks which are held at this hospital. These days the drug is used under strictly controlled conditions to treat severe immunological diseases, including rare forms of cancer and a skin problem associated with leperosy. Police and health officials are warning that the drugs are dangerous. I asked the chief medical officer of health, Dr Donald Campbell when they noticed the pills were missing. PREREC
In Fiji, aid is finally starting to get through to some regions hardest hit by Cyclone Ami, but on other islands officials are still assessing the damage. It's now been confirmed 11 people have died following the cyclone, but many are still missing and authorities fear the death toll could be as high as 30. The director general of the Fiji Red Cross, Alison Cupit, (KEW-PIT) today visited the town of Labasa (pro lambasa) on one of the hardest hit areas, the island of [illegible] Levu. I asked her what it was like there. PREREC
The Securities Commission is being accused of not doing enough to protect the integrity of the New Zealand stock market, over its investigation into possible insider trading of Fletcher Forests shares. An independent investment analyst, Brian Gaynor says an investigation is important, but telling investors that the investigation will take several months implies a lack of urgency. Antony Byers reports. PKGE
BUSINESS NEWS WITH JOHN DRAPER
In Northland, the veteran Māori activist Titewhai Harawira is looking increasingly isolated after an ultimatum to the government over the Ngawha prison controversy. Mrs Harawira has been warning for months of massive protest at Waitangi unless the crown fronts up to Ngapuhi, on the issue. And this week she was reported as saying there would be upfront challenges to the government at Waitangi unless the meeting happened in the next two weeks. But our Northland reporter Lois Williams told me Ngapuhi leaders, and even the prison objectors have moved to distance themselves from her remarks. PREREC [illegible] DROPINS
High value conservation land in Rotorua has been saved from the possibility of development - but some say the crown land should NOT have been bought with money intended for buying private land. The Forest Research Institute has sold more than five hundred hectares of mostly native bush on the Mamaku Plateau to the Conservation Department instead of selling it on the open market. Our conservation reporter Liz Banas has the story. PKGE
Health authorities say Hamilton's water supply is safe, despite the discovery of another potentially dangerous alga in the Waikato River. A warning against the recreational use of the Waikato River was issued a week ago because of concerns about a bloom of blue-green alga which could produce toxins. The medical officer of health Felicity Dumble says the initial bloom has diminished, but another similar alga has multiplied. She joins me now. LIVE
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