Paracetamol availability and overdose in Ireland.
New regulations for the control of paracetamol come into force in October 2001. These are greatly welcomed and should lead to a reduction in paracetamol poisoning. Existing conditions for the sale and supply of paracetamol (Irish Medicines Board (IMB), 1997), which have no statutory basis, state that non-pharmacy outlets should only sell emergency supplies of paracetamol in a maximum pack size of 12 tablets; just one pack should be sold on each occasion2. This study found that non-pharmacy outlets do not comply with these IMB conditions. Paracetamol poisoning remains the most common form of overdose requiring hospital admission in Ireland. Admissions increased by 29% between 1993 and 1999. The new regulations will give effect to the IMB conditions.
Laffoy
M
M
Department of Public Health, Eastern Regional Health Authority, Dr. Steeven's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Scallan
E
E
Byrne
G
G
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008389:Marketing of Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011634:Public Health; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000082:Acetaminophen