george martin studio/ Shutterstock Millions of people in the UK suffer from joint pain and arthritis. But with long wait times for scans, specialist appointments, physiotherapy and joint replacement surgery, many people turn to over-the-counter medicines, such as ibuprofen, to manage their joint pain, stay active and continue working. Ibuprofen is one of the most prescribed drugs in England and one of the UK’s most purchased over-the-counter medicines. Although ibuprofen is cheap and effective