Paracetamol-related deaths in Scotland, 1994-2000.
OBJECTIVE
To 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.


METHODS
Records 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.


RESULTS
No 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.


CONCLUSIONS
Further measures to reduce paracetamol-related morbidity and mortality in Scotland should be considered.
Sheen
Christopher L
CL
Medicines Monitoring Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, DD1 9SY. chris@memo.dundee.ac.uk
Dillon
John F
JF
Bateman
D Nicholas
DN
Simpson
Kenneth J
KJ
MacDonald
Thomas M
TM
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000506:poisoning*; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000506:poisoning*; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000401:mortality; D004349:Drug Packaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015996:Survival Rate
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000082:Acetaminophen