Stewart Adams (chemist)

Stewart Adams (1923 – 2019) was a British chemist who is best known for his role in the development of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen.

Early Life and Education

Adams was born in Byfield, Northamptonshire in 1923. He attended Northampton Grammar School and later studied pharmacy at the University of Nottingham. After completing his degree, he served in the Royal Air Force during World War II.

Career

After the war, Adams returned to the University of Nottingham to complete his PhD in pharmacology. He then joined the research department of Boots Pure Drug Company, where he began his work on anti-inflammatory drugs.

In the 1950s, Adams and his team began researching substances that could have a similar effect to aspirin, but with fewer side effects. This led to the development of ibuprofen, which was patented in 1961 and first made available to the public in 1969.

Adams' work on ibuprofen has had a significant impact on the field of pharmacology, and he has been recognized with several awards for his contributions, including the Order of the British Empire and the Scheele Award.

Later Life and Legacy

Adams retired from Boots in 1983, but continued to work in the field of pharmacology as a consultant. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 95.

His work on ibuprofen continues to be recognized as a significant contribution to the field of pharmacology, and the drug is now one of the most commonly used pain relievers worldwide.

See Also

• Pharmacology
• Ibuprofen
• Aspirin

External Links

• Obituary: Stewart Adams (BBC News)

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