Data on the accidental death rates from medications for 1956 to 1966 were obtained from the Japanes Ministry of Health and Welfare. It was found that from 1956 to 1960, the accidental death rate from medications rose. In contrast, the same rate decreased from 1962 to 1966, following the passage of the Pharmacy Act in 1961, suggesting that restriction to access of lethal agents does reduce the use of those agents in suicidal & accidental deaths. (1 ref)