The most measurement of paracetamol packs can be decreased in pharmacies and supermarkets to deal with an overdose disaster, Australia’s well being watchdog has proposed.
Each yr in Australia round 225 persons are hospitalised and 50 individuals die from paracetamol overdose, with intentional overdose highest amongst adolescents and younger adults.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) made the interim determination to cut back the pack sizes after public session in September final yr.
The determination proposes to amend the regulatory management over drugs availability – referred to as the Poisons Standard – to cut back the utmost pack sizes.
The TGA has additionally inspired retailers resembling supermarkets to limit gross sales to a single pack at a time.
For supermarkets and comfort shops, packs of 20 tablets can be decreased to a most of 16 tablets.
“Pharmacy only” packs that beforehand offered a most of 100 tablets – with out the supervision of a pharmacist – can be slashed to only 32 tablets a pack.
Pack sizes of as much as 100 tablets will solely be obtainable with the supervision of a pharmacist.
The determination additionally requires all paracetamol to be offered in blister packaging to “deter overdose from ingesting large numbers of tablets”.
“The decision intends to strike a balance between minimising the incidence and harm from intentional self-poisoning and access to paracetamol for the treatment of acute and chronic pain,” the TGA mentioned.
The TGA can be encouraging customers to not stockpile paracetamol within the house and to appropriately retailer paracetamol and different medicines.
Further public session will happen in March and all submissions can be thought of earlier than a ultimate determination is made.
Originally revealed as Health watchdog flags change to paracetamol pack measurement, purchases to deal with overdose disaster
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
