Interrupted Time-Series Analysis of Regulations to Reduce Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) Poisoning

This study examines whether legal action taken by the United Kingdom impacted the suicide rate in 1998. Data was collected from the Office of National Statistics. The researchers compared death rates involving paracetamol, aspirin, antidepressants, & non-drug poisoning suicides. The researchers did not find any statistical evidence that the fall in paracetamol deaths was any different to the overall trend in poisoning or suicide death rates. This study suggests the link between paracetamol & the legal action taken may be just a coincidence. (22 refs.)(CH)