Afternoons for Tuesday 30 August 2016

1:15 Outrage over Epi-Pen price hike 

 

Allergy New Zealand says its being inundated by calls from anxious parents and allergy sufferers, fearful the price of life saving Epi Pens will skyrocket like it has in the US. There's been a huge uproar in the states after Mylan Pharmaceuticals pushed up the price of the anaphylaxis treatment yet again. When it first bought the rights to the drug in 2007 it cost americans 93 dollars for two injectors - it's now over 600 US dollars.

In New Zealand the epi-pens are not funded, so cost people between 120 and 200 dollars per pen, and local allergy sufferers are fearful the price is set to rise even higher here.

1:25 Houseplants better than ventilation

A new study shows that houseplants may be better than ventilation systems at removing pollutants from inside homes and workplaces.

Vadoud Niri, from the State University of New York at Oswego says his research shows that common house plants are very effective at removing volatile organic compounds, or VOC's from the air. VOC's are pollutants that can easily turn into gases at room temperature.

1:35 Dan Slevin celebrates the work of Gene Wilder

US actor Gene Wilder, remembered by many for his namesake role in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, has died at the age of 83.

Dan Slevin looks back on his many comedic roles.

1:40 Favourite album

2:10 The World's Saddest Songs

You suggested them, we compiled them... and got musicologist Nick Braae along to explain just why some songs are so sad.

THE SONGS

Bright Eyes by Art Garfunkel

Angel by Sarah McLachlan

Heroes  by Amanda Palmer

Vincent by Don McLean

And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda by The Pogues

The Blowers Daughter by Damian Rice

River by Joni Mitchell

The Little Boy That Santa Forgot - Nat King Cole

You Can Let Go - Crystal Shawanda

Dark Child - Marlon Williams

Andy - Don McGlashan and The Front Lawn

Lucille - Kenny Rogers

Diary by Bread

3:10 Embracing failure and procrastination

There are dreamers who come up with great ideas and there are doers.  Originals are people who do both, but not always on time according to Professor Adam Grant who teaches at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. 

He looks at the unexpected habits of original thinkers including embracing failure and procrastination.  His new book is called Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World.

3:30 Science and environment stories

Stories from Our Changing World.

3:45 The Panel Pre-Show