noun
beyond medical help; medicine having no effect
A yojijukugo meaning that a patient's condition is so serious that neither medicine nor medical treatment can help. Often used in literary or formal contexts.
彼の病状は薬石無効の状態だった。
His condition was beyond medical help.
A yojijukugo composed of 薬 (medicine), 石 (stone, referring to acupuncture needles or mineral remedies), 無 (without), and 効 (effect). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it follows a classical Chinese pattern for describing hopeless medical situations.