@article{ref1,
title="Pack-size legislation reduces severity of paracetamol overdoses in Ireland",
journal="Irish journal of medical science",
year="2006",
author="Donohoe, E. and Walsh, N. and Tracey, J. A.",
volume="175",
number="3",
pages="40-42",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Legislation was introduced in Ireland in October 2001 to control the sale of paracetamol in non-pharmacy outlets. Preparations are now limited to 12 tablets per pack and only one pack can be sold per transaction. AIM: To assess the impact of this legislation on acute deliberate paracetamol overdoses. METHODS: We reviewed acute deliberate paracetamol overdoses reported during two 24-months periods before and after October 2001. We grouped cases according to the number of tablets taken and compared the periods using chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: The number of tablets taken in acute deliberate paracetamol overdose fell significantly after October 2001 (chi2 = 11.663, P = 0.0029). Fewer cases involved 12-24 tablets (U = 74, P < 0.001) and fewer cases involved more than 24 tablets (U = 131.5, P = 0.0006). CONCLUSION: Legislation controlling sale and packaging of paracetamol preparations appears to be associated with a significant fall in the number of tablets taken in acute deliberate paracetamol overdoses.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0021-1265",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}