Aspirin consumption rises sharply

The use of aspirin has increased by 25% in Belgium in four years, with around 1.1 million Belgians taking it every day, Het Laatste Nieuws reports today, based on statistics provided by public health minister Laurette Onkelinx. Doctors often prescribe the drug preventively, especially against heart attacks. However, aspirin can lead to fatal bleeding. Between 2008 and 2012, sales of daily doses of aspirin went from 331 million to 412 million. Three quarters were prescribed by a doctor and reimbursed by the health service.