Award-winning comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean is joined by funny and fascinating comedians, doctors, scientists, and historians to celebrate medicine's inspiring past, present and future.
In each programme, Kiri challenges her guests to make a case for what they think is 'the best medicine', and each of them champions anything from world-changing science to an obscure invention, an every-day treatment, an uplifting worldview, an unsung hero or a futuristic cure.Whether it's micro-robotic surgery, virtual reality syringes, Victorian clockwork surgical saws, more than a few ingenious cures for cancer, world-first lifesaving heart operations, epidurals, therapy, dancing, faith or laughter - it's always something worth celebrating.
6 - Team Sports, Making Sense, Pet Dog Blood Donors, Board Games
Joining Kiri Pritchard-McLean this week is comedian Josh Pugh who makes the case for the life lessons learnt in Team Sports. Professor Julia Simner explores how our senses shape reality and talks to Kiri about a new pair of AI glasses that are helping people with dementia, Veterinary Ophthalmologist Dr Serena Maini champions the dogs helping to save other dogs' lives through blood donation, and writer Tim Clare rolls the dice for Board Games.Best Medicine is your weekly dose of laughter, hope and incredible medicine. Award-winning comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean is joined by a funny and fascinating panel of comedians, doctors, scientists, experts and historians to celebrate medicine's inspiring past, present and future.Each week Kiri challenges a panel of experts and a comedian to make a case for what they think is 'the best medicine'. Each guest champions anything from world-changing science or an obscure invention to an everyday treatment, an uplifting worldview, an unsung hero or a futuristic cure.Whether it’s groundbreaking surgery, seaweed underwear, AI glasses to help people with dementia, horse therapy, sports, revolutionary gene therapy for Huntington’s disease or yesterday’s rubbish becoming tomorrow’s medicines - it’s always something worth celebrating.Hosted by Kiri Pritchard-McLeanFeaturing: Tim Clare, Dr Serena Maini, Josh Pugh and Professor Julia Simner Written by Edward Easton, Mel Owen, Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Ben RowseProducer: Tashi RadhaExecutive Producer: Ben WorsfieldTheme tune composed by Andrew JonesA Large Time production for BBC Radio 4
26 Aug 2026
5 - Seaweed Underwear, Bubbles, Saunas
Joining Kiri Pritchard-McLean this week is entrepreneur Alex Perry who champions seaweed underwear inspired by a personal mission to improve women's health. Professor Eleanor Stride returns with bubbles (again) in the fight against everything from cancer to antimicrobial resistance, and comedian Kate Cheka turns up the heat in defence of saunas.Best Medicine is your weekly dose of laughter, hope and incredible medicine. Award-winning comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean is joined by a funny and fascinating panel of comedians, doctors, scientists, experts and historians to celebrate medicine's inspiring past, present and future.Each week Kiri challenges a panel of experts and a comedian to make a case for what they think is 'the best medicine', and each guest champions anything from world-changing science or an obscure invention to an everyday treatment, an uplifting worldview, an unsung hero or a futuristic cure.Whether it’s groundbreaking surgery, seaweed underwear, AI glasses to help people with dementia, horse therapy, sports, revolutionary gene therapy for Huntington’s disease or yesterday’s rubbish becoming tomorrow’s medicines - it’s always something worth celebrating.Hosted by Kiri Pritchard-McLeanFeaturing: Kate Cheka, Alex Perry and Professor Eleanor Stride Written by Edward Easton, Jordan Gray, Frances Keyton, Mel Owen, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Ben Rowse and Rhys ThorneProducer: Tashi RadhaExecutive Producer: Ben WorsfieldTheme tune composed by Andrew JonesA Large Time production for BBC Radio 4
19 Aug 2026
4 - Fighting, Gene Therapy for Huntington’s Disease, Plants
Joining Kiri Pritchard-McLean this week is comedian Stephen Bailey who explains how fighting transformed his confidence. Professor Ed Wild shares a groundbreaking gene therapy that can treat Huntington's disease for the first time, and Professor Alessandra Devoto explores how plants like basil could help unlock future treatments for liver fibrosis.Best Medicine is your weekly dose of laughter, hope and incredible medicine. Award-winning comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean is joined by a funny and fascinating panel of comedians, doctors, scientists, experts and historians to celebrate medicine's inspiring past, present and future.Each week Kiri challenges a panel of experts and a comedian to make a case for what they think is 'the best medicine', and each guest champions anything from world-changing science or an obscure invention to an everyday treatment, an uplifting worldview, an unsung hero or a futuristic cure.Whether it’s groundbreaking surgery, seaweed underwear, AI glasses to help people with dementia, horse therapy, sports, revolutionary gene therapy for Huntington’s disease or yesterday’s rubbish becoming tomorrow’s medicines - it’s always something worth celebrating.Hosted by Kiri Pritchard-McLeanFeaturing: Stephen Bailey, Professor Alessandra Devoto and Professor Ed Wild Written by Edward Easton, Jordan Gray, Frances Keyton, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Ben Rowse and Rhys ThorneProducer: Tashi RadhaExecutive Producer: Ben WorsfieldTheme tune composed by Andrew JonesA Large Time production for BBC Radio 4
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
15 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
50 ratings
Pitching Best Medicine
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting pitches.
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