The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 276 No 7397 p471
22 April 2006

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Suicide rates in England are the lowest on record

Current rates of suicide in England are the lowest on record, according to the 2005 National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England annual report from the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE). Furthermore, the suicide rate among young men has continued to fall, says the institute.

The report highlights various objectives supported by NIMHE to tackle suicide, including the phasing out of co-proxamol — known to be particularly toxic in overdose — and the recommendation that pharmacists encourage the safe disposal of unwanted medicines (such as unused antidepressants), included as an essential service in the community pharmacy contractual framework.