Wrigley's new antacid gum, Surpass, launched in January, showed that gum coated with calcium carbonate relieves heartburn faster and for longer than tablets (helped by the alkalinity in saliva), but sales are poor.
Lord Warner said examples of products where restrictions are likely to be lifted include 75mg aspirin tablets for secondary prevention of heart attack or stroke, and the use of products containing calcium and vitamin D by patients with osteoporosis.