Poisoning-associated deaths for England and Wales between 1973 and 1980

The annual number of deaths in England and Wales associated with poisoning by solids and liquids over the 8-year period between 1973 and 1980 has remained fairly constant with an average of 2897. Marked trends in the number of deaths associated with specific drugs are evident and apparently reflect prescription trends and drug availability. Barbiturate poisonings dropped steadily following the downward trend in barbiturate prescriptions. Deaths associated with dextropropoxyphene, paracetamol and certain benzodiazepines increased dramatically.