Calls for tighter controls on paracetamol

THE State’s regulator for pharmacists believes stricter controls on the sale and supply of paracetamol and ibuprofen are needed to prevent deaths and poisonings.

While there has been a fall in mortality rates since paracetamol pack-sizes were limited in shops and supermarkets in 2001, the drug still tops the list of agents responsible for poisonings.

And, despite ibuprofen being the fourth most common cause of poisoning, the Department of Health has decided to make it easily available in shops and supermarkets.