<P> Ibuprofen was derived from propionic acid by the research arm of Boots Group during the 1960s . Its discovery was the result of research during the 1950s and 1960s to find a safer alternative to aspirin . It was discovered by a team led by Stewart Adams and the patent application was filed in 1961 . Adams initially tested the drug as treatment for his hangover . The drug was launched as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis in the United Kingdom in 1969 , and in the United States in 1974 . Later , in 1983 and 1984 , it became the first NSAID ( other than aspirin ) to be available over the counter ( OTC ) in these two countries . Dr. Adams was subsequently awarded an OBE in 1987 . Boots was awarded the Queen 's Award for Technical Achievement for the development of the drug in 1987 . </P>
when did ibuprofen become available over the counter
1983