Sir, - The aspirin to which D. E. McMillan refers (May 28th) is 300mg. This is the traditional strength of aspirin used for analgesia over the past 100 years. Today, in pharmacies at any rate, paracetamol has almost completely superseded aspirin as the simple analgesic of choice. Consequently, demand for aspirin 300mg preparations, especially generics, is tiny and obviously uncommercial to market, as shown by the fact that they have all disappeared from the shelves over the past couple of years. There is no conspiracy at work here.
The aspirin Mr McMillan was prescribed is not actually a treatment for elevated blood pressure, but rather a proplylactic agent against major cardiovascular events, due to its anti-coagulant properties; 75mg is the general consensus as to the appropriate daily dosage to achieve this. One hundred of these, loose, packed and suitably labelled, retails for £1.50. This is a high turnover line with no supply problems. - Yours, etc.,
John o'Donovan, B.Sc.(Pharm.), M.P.S.I.,Church Road, Tullamore, Co Offaly.