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Paracetamol-related deaths in Scotland, 1994-2000
Christopher L Sheen1, John F Dillon, D Nicholas Bateman
1Medicines Monitoring Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, DD1 9SY. chris@memo.dundee.ac.uk
Aims:
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.