Watchdog healthcheck : aspirin.

This programme marks the centenary of aspirin with a 10-minute item presented by Angela Rippon illustrating the development of salicylic acid from its first clinical recognition in 1763, to Felix Hoffman's development of the Bayer aspirin at the end of the last century. Aspirin was a huge success until the 1950s when paracetamol, and later on, ibuprofen, took over the market. Now, aspirin is finding a new lease of life as a preventive measure against heart attack and is being investigated for its possible use in lessening cognitive decline and preventing bowel cancer.