From Dr G. Brandon
SIR,—Dr Natoff asks whether anyone has data to show whether pack restrictions have reduced the number of hospital admissions for paracetamol overdosage (PJ, April 1, p513). According to the Medicines Control Agency at the time, their restrictions were not necessarily intended to reduce the number of overdoses but to reduce the severity of impulse overdoses taken in the home. Unfortunately, it is too early to say with any confidence whether anything has been achieved. Although the restrictions have been with us for over a year, and there has been a small reduction both in hospital admissions and mortality figures for paracetamol overdosage, we need a number of years' annual figures to be certain of any effects. The PIC and several other groups are continuing to monitor the effects of the restrictions.
Geoffrey Brandon
Paracetamol Information Centre,
London SE19