The Healing Stick differs from other medical items, like the Bacta Patch which is only good for localized application, in that it is introduced directly into the blood stream of the patient. This allows the substance to quickly disburse throughout the entire body often bringing about better results. Medical technicians and doctors often use the Healing Stick to stabilize patients whose vitals are rapidly declining. While the Healing Stick cannot bring about substantial changes in a patient's health it can be enough stave off death or provide relief and healing for minor injuries.
Healing Sticks are commonplace and can be found in most medical inventories. However, due to their abundance, smugglers have taken to shipping drugs known as Death Sticks, which are identical in appearance to Healing Sticks, under the guise of being medical supplies for easy passage past authorities. Whether by design or by accident, large quantities of the drug have been mixed into the general supply of legitimate Healing Sticks.