Abstract: The present invention concerns novel phthalidyl esters of arylalkanoic acids having improved pharmacological properties in respect to the corresponding arylalkanoic acids having analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing them as active ingredients. The invention further relates to a method for improving the pharmacological properties of said arylalkanoic acids having analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, by introducing, through an ester bond, a phthalidyl group.