Lord Warner said examples of products where restrictions are likely to be lifted include 75mg aspirin tablets for secondary prevention of heart attack or stroke, and the use of products containing calcium and vitamin D by patients with osteoporosis.

BBC: Drug ad ban lifted

But one small reform could strike a meaningful blow for reason and cost-effectiveness: Apply the rules governing the advertising of aspirin to the advertising of oregano tablets.

CNN: Herbal remedies need real scrutiny

His daily intake included 40 Boyard cigarettes, litres of alcohol and coffee, and a dozen corydrane tablets, a mixture of amphetamine and aspirin then available over the counter (the recommended dose was two).

ECONOMIST: Jean-Paul Sartre