Smaller pack sizes of paracetamol have reduced overdose deaths

The number of deaths from self poisoning with paracetamol and salicylates has decreased in England and Wales since legislation in September 1998 to limit the pack size of these drugs sold over the counter. In their prospective population study Hawton et al (p 1203) also show that in the 12 months after the legislation the number of liver transplants and admissions to liver units with paracetamol poisoning decreased, as did the number of overdoses where a large amount of paracetamol and salycilates tablets were taken. Therefore, if an even smaller maximum pack size for pharmacy sales was introduced, such as the 8g limit in France, more lives might be saved.

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Relevant Article

Effects of legislation restricting pack sizes of paracetamol and salicylate on self poisoning in the United Kingdom: before and after study

Keith Hawton, Ellen Townsend, Jonathan Deeks, Louis Appleby, David Gunnell, Olive Bennewith, and Jayne Cooper
BMJ 2001 322: 1203. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]