§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many deaths have been directly attributed to the taking of paracetamol during each of the past five years for which figures are available; what representations he has received about the dangers of using paracetamol; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe information given in the table is taken from death certificates issued in England and Wales. The 1984 figures are provisional. Paracetamol is included in a number of widely-used combination analgesics, often in combination with dextropropoxyphene. Where such a product was mentioned in a death certificate, the death is included in the "with other drug" figures. Deaths reported as suicide are included. The figures in parentheses relate to deaths where use of alcohol was mentioned.
The Committee on Safety of Medicines has received no reports of death associated with the use of paracetamol at normal doses.
I am advised that paracetamol is a very safe drug if taken in accordance with the usage instructions set out on the labels of all paracetamol, or paracetamol-containing, products. The dangers of overdose are well known and patients are told on product labels not to exceed the stated dose. No recent representations about paracetamol have been received.
62W
Deaths attributed to paracetamol—England and Wales Accidental Suicide Unknown 1980 Paracetamol 25(10) 97(12) 30 (5) With other drug 55(28) 225(47) 77(20) Total 80(38) 322(59) 107(25) 1981* Paracetamol 15 (6) 47(14) 13 (4) With other drug 48(19) 257(33) 70(19) Total 63(25) 304(47) 83(23) 1982 Paracetamol 31 (6) 94(12) 37 (5) With other drug 43(21) 207(36) 58(12) Total 74(27) 301(48) 95(17) 1983 Paracetamol 23 (7) 104 (9) 37 (2) With other drug 46(20) 240(44) 57(15) Total 69(27) 344(53) 94(17) 1984 Paracetamol 24 (4) 102 (9) 50 (6) With other drug 33 (9) 185(37) 66(16) Total 57(13) 287(46) 116(22) * 1981 figures were affected by industrial action taken by Registrars.