§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people died from paracetamol in each of the last five years; how many recorded overdoses of paracetamol there were in each of the last five years; and what plans she has to decrease morbidity and mortality from paracetamol overdose.
§ Mr. BowisThe table shows the number of deaths from poisoning where paracetamol is mentioned in the deaths' records. Information on the number of recorded overdoses of paracetamol is not available centrally.
"The Health of the Nation" mental illness key area handbook gives guidance to professionals on how to meet the specific suicide reduction targets. The advice covers the labelling of paracetamol bottles to warn of toxicity and reviewing the storage and availability of poisonous over-the-counter medicines.
Deaths from poisoning where paracetamol is mentioned in the deaths' records, England and Wales, 1986–90 Paracetamol without mention of other drugs Paracetamol with mention of other drugs 1986 208 (15) 299 (69) 1987 212 (19) 301 (58) 1988 184 (21) 312 (77) 1989 163 (16) 295 (59) 1990 223 (16) 288 (60) Figures in brackets are deaths where there was no mention of alcohol.
NoteThis table is compiled using the information available in table 10 of the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) publication "Mortality statistics: injury and poisoning" series DH4 Nos. 12–16, which lists all substances mentioned in the records of deaths assigned to accidental and other poisoning by solid or liquid substances. The inclusion of a substance in this list does not, however, imply that it is necessarily toxic. Where two or more substances are mentioned togther the contribution, if any, of each to the death is unknown; even where one substance is listed alone there may well be other factors with an important bearing on the death. Copies of the OPCS DH4 series are avaiable in the Library.