Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are highly effective at suppressing gastric acid production. They are widely used for symptomatic relief from dyspepsia; offer benefits in patients with gastrointestinal ulcers and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease; and have an important prophylactic role when used with NSAIDs, aspirin and other drugs that can damage the gastrointestinal tract. The continued increase in PPI prescribing reflects the popularity of these drugs among prescribers and patients. For example, during the first quarter of 2010, over 9 million PPI prescriptions were issued in England, an increase …