Reduction in Deaths Due to Paracetamol Overdose

Researchers have said that reduction in sizes of paracetamol packets has resulted in a 43% cut in the number of deaths due to poisoning. To help prevent overdoses, packs have got their sizes reduced to a maximum of 32 tablets through pharmacy sales and 16 for non-pharmacy sales. The results were noticeable with an average of 17 fewer deaths for every three months.

The reduction in size of paracetamol packs was successful in witnessing a 43% reduction in its use in the 11-year post-legislation period. Yet, there are 121 paracetamol poisoning deaths each year.

If paracetamol sales are controlled, the death of nearly 200 people every year can be averted due to liver failure

Professor Keith Hawton, of the University of Oxford Centre for Suicide Research, said ‘We have estimated that there have been 600 fewer deaths due to paracetamol overdose than would have been expected based on trends before the legislation was introduced. While some of this effect could have been due to improved hospital management of paracetamol overdoses we believe that this has in large part been due to the introduction of the legislation.’

Source-Medindia