Laws limiting the size of paracetamol packs help to prevent overdose

Abstract

Question Does legislation to limit the size of paracetamol packs reduce death, liver transplantation or referral and non-fatal self poisoning? Study design Before and after study. Main results In the first 4 years after legislation to limit the size of paracetamol packs, death from overdose, non-fatal self poisoning and admissions for liver transplant were reduced compared with before legislation. In the first 2 years after legislation, listing for liver transplants and actual transplantation rates were reduced compared with before legislation, but there was no significant difference after 3 and 4 years (see results tables 1 and 2). Mean pack sizes of paracetamol decreased significantly from before to after legislation (35 before v 24 after). However, sales rose after legislation, so total numbers of tablets sold were similar (520 million before v 580 million after). Authors’ conclusions Legislation to limit the size of paracetamol packs reduced the risk of death from overdose, non-fatal self poisoning, admissions and listing for liver transplant and actual transplantation.