Stuff That Defines Us: Ibuprofen
Inspired by the British Museum’s “Stuff That Defines Us: A History of the World in 100 Objects,” Padua360 shares with readers the origins of certain objects and how they play a role in life today.
Before the 1960s, people had to deal with the discomfort of sickness, soreness, and pain without relief from common over-the-counter medications. Then in 1961, Stewart Adams along with four other men involved with the Boots Group, patented Ibuprofen. Its original intended purpose was used to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The company licensed the product to Whitehall Laboratories and Upjohn who renamed the product Advil and Nuprin respectively. Eventually, other generic name brands were created, for example Motrin. Ibuprofen uses have changed over the years. Now, it is commonly used to relieve discomfort caused by muscle soreness, colds, and cramps. It shows us that we are still advancing medically and will continue to do so.
For years, people have appreciated Ibuprofen both now and then. It has helped give relief to people and, if anything, is appreciated even more today. We live in a society where lives are busy and people are always going from one place to the next. It allows people to run errands, go to work or school, and not be hindered by sickness. It allows people to be able to focus on what they have to do, and not the soreness or discomfort they may have. Ibuprofen has won the Boots Group an award called the Queen’s Award for Technical Achievement. Stewart Adams also won was honored with an OBE (Order of the British Empire). Ibuprofen has and will continue to improve the lives of people.