An example of the dangers of the short-term testing used to license major drugs was provided by Swiss and UK researchers. After analysing more than 100 medical trials worldwide, covering at least 200,000 patients, they concluded that the regular, long term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs - including aspirin) was killing about 2,000 people annually in Britain alone. They advised GPs to give patients the smallest possible doses for the shortest possible time and, if necessary, to move patients onto albeit more expensive alternatives which carry less risk of gastric complications.

Dr. Tramer* reassures patients who buy NSAID’s like Nurofen, Advil or Ibuleve over the counter that there is no need to worry if the drugs are taken for a short time to relieve pain. “The risks are with patients who take these drugs continuously for a couple of months or more, for conditions such as arthritis.” The manufacturers agreed that long term use is dangerous and pointed to printed warnings on the packets advising users to go to their GP if symptoms persisted more than three days.

* of University Hospital, Geneva (Switzerland), leader of the research team