History of aspirin

Introduction

Aspirin, one of the first drugs to come into common usage, is still widely used around the world with approximately 40,000 tonnes produced globally each year¹. Its herbal roots date back to ancient history and some of the first known civilisations; as a drug aspirin’s usefulness has persisted for over 120 years and its utility in clinical practice and interest to the research community continues to grow.

Aspirin is an ingredient in many proprietary analgesic and cold/flu preparations. It is also used for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and there is growing work on its role in the prevention and management of cancer. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) remains on the World Health Organization’s Model List of Essential Medicine (21st List 2019) both for its use in pain control and anti-platelet effects.

1. Bayer-Statistics and Facts accessed 07/05/2020 @ https://www.statista.com/topics/4292/bayer-ag/

2. World Health Organization’s Model List of Essential Medicine (21st List 2019) accessed 07/05/20 @ https://www.who.int/medicines/publications/essentialmedicines/en

About the International Aspirin Foundation

The International Aspirin Foundation was established in 1974 and exists to increase knowledge, understanding and medical interest in aspirin by sharing information, encouraging discussion, and inspiring collaboration and future research.

We do this by hosting regular conferences and events; by disseminating information on all aspects of the history, current understanding, and future potential of aspirin; and by celebrating excellence in research through a programme of scientific awards.

Guided by a world class Scientific Advisory Board, we help connect experts from a variety of backgrounds including pharmacology, neurology, gastroenterology, oncology and cardiology. Bringing that multidisciplinary expertise together is hugely valuable in building medical understanding of aspirin and enables new ideas for the successful medical application of this versatile, inexpensive, and accessible drug.

We are a non-political, not for profit independent organisation. We are an open forum for all views, both complimentary and critical. We do not provide direct medical advice and would encourage anyone with questions about their own use of aspirin for prevention, treatment or management of any condition to speak with their own doctor.