Vanessa lives in London. She has cancer. Lemlem lives in rural Ethiopia. She has typhoid. Most people would agree that both women should have similar access to the medicines they need. But why is this harder for Lemlem? And why are fewer drugs developed for common diseases in Lemlem's part of the world? Is it that the pharmaceutical companies are driven only by a profit motive? Is it because of failing infrastructure in developing countries? Or are there more subtle answers? In this feature Keren Bright of The Open University investigates the idea that the patent system is too blunt an instrument to serve the interests of both pharmaceutical companies and the poor like Lemlem. There are smart solutions though; ways for everybody to win. Big questions. Fascinating answers.

In todays world growing up is tough - making friends, fitting in, changing schools. And it's even harder for children with disabilities. This album looks at PLUS, an organisation working towards the inclusion of disabled children and young adults in social activities and organisations, encouraging friendships and fun. It looks at PLUS from the view of the children, the carers and the families.

This material forms part of The Open University course KE312 Working together for children.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic long term condition that principally attacks flexible joints, causing painful swelling, stiffness and fatigue. The risk of developing RA is associated with ageing but it also affects adults of working age and is three times more common in women. 56 year old Liz noticed her first symptoms in 1996, when her son was just 2 years old. In this collection, she shares her experiences of living with RA, from early symptoms to drug-controlled remission.

Psychological factors can play a significant role in sport and exercise. In sport, psychological preparation could mean the difference between winning and losing, whilst in exercise psychological factors could dictate whether or not we decide to even start an exercise programme. What are the links between exercise and mental health and what does it really take to stick to a programme of regular physical activity?

This material forms part of The Open University module E233 Sport and exercise psychology: a case study approach.

Most women share a common fear - breast cancer. From the age of 53, they are invited by their GP to have a mammogram - a procedure that screens the breast for any abnormalities. But many women don't understand what this involves. The 3 video tracks on this album explain why it is important to have a mammogram, hear from women being screened, show the processes involved and demonstrate what happens should an abnormality be found.

This material forms part of The Open University course SDK125 Introducing health sciences: a case study approach.

This album takes an extensive look at the ins-and-outs of family life and caring for children. It draws on interviews with a wide-ranging selection of professionals, from people who deal directly with children at nurseries or schools to those that help shape national policy, to throw light on national initiatives and schemes such as ChildLine, and explore family life from different perspectives and social levels. This material forms part of The Open University course K204 Working with children and families.

We are all likely to experience pain at some stage in our lives. But, how do you deal with constant, chronic pain? Learning to manage severe pain on a daily basis takes a phenomenal amount of mental and physical strength. The 7 video tracks in this album introduce patients and doctors at the Royal Free Hospital's Pain Clinic and the Real Health Institute in London. They explore the causes of pain, the changes it brings to the lives of sufferers and the ways in which drugs, surgery, physiotherapy and cognitive therapies can help control it.

This material forms part of The Open University course SDK125 Introducing health sciences: a case study approach.

What was it like living and working in the largest mental deficiency hospital in Britain? And what changes led to its relatively recent closure? In it's heyday in the 1970s, Lennox Castle Hospital in Scotland housed over 1600 patients in purpose built multi-occupancy villas, and most staff lived on site or in nearby Lennoxtown. Oral historian Howard Mitchell started his working life there, as a member of the hospital's nursing staff. In the tracks on this album, he looks back at the history of the hospital, and talks to former patients and staff about their experiences during and after their time at Lennox Castle. He also reflects on the responsibilities of oral historians when gathering such personal testimonies. To complete the album, Professor Joanna Bornat of The Open University's Faculty of Health and Social Care explains why the case study was selected for study and unpicks some of the issues that emerge.

The material forms part of The Open University course K101 An introduction to health and social care.

Open University cognitive psychologist Graham Pike describes how his interest in facial compositing has led to a collaboration resulting in a computer based tool, called Efit V. This tool might transform the process of identifying police suspects. It is being developed to allow law enforcement agencies to produce images of criminal suspects at very short notice at crime scenes revolutionising the process of identification. To find out more, follow the research links.