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Paracetamol‐related deaths in Scotland, 1994–2000
Author(s) -
Sheen Christopher L.,
Dillon John F.,
Bateman D. Nicholas,
Simpson Kenneth J.,
MacDonald Thomas M.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2125.2002.t01-1-01671.x
Subject(s) - medicine , mortality rate , acetaminophen , drug overdose , incidence (geometry) , demography , poison control , emergency medicine , anesthesia , physics , sociology , optics
AimsTo investigate the death rate due to paracetamol poisoning in Scotland and what effect the reduction in over‐the‐counter paracetamol pack sizes in 1998 had on the death rate.MethodsRecords from 1994 to 2000 were examined to identify the number and annual incidence of paracetamol‐related deaths. Numbers of deaths before and after the pack size reduction were compared.ResultsNo significant differences were shown due to the pack size reduction. The Scottish paracetamol‐related death rate was twice as high as in England and Wales.ConclusionsFurther measures to reduce paracetamol‐related morbidity and mortality in Scotland should be considered.