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Is UK planning to restrict over-the-counter paracetamol sales to curb suicides?
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  • Is UK planning to restrict over-the-counter paracetamol sales to curb suicides?

Is UK planning to restrict over-the-counter paracetamol sales to curb suicides?

FP Explainers • September 12, 2023, 09:30:18 IST
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The UK has released a new strategy to curb suicide deaths – its first in over a decade – by 2025. The government has tasked medical experts to determine whether restricting the sales of medication containing paracetamol over-the-counter could bring down the suicide rate

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Is UK planning to restrict over-the-counter paracetamol sales to curb suicides?

The UK has launched a new campaign to curb suicide. The government has pledged to implement more than 100 initiatives to bring down the suicide rate by 2025. But did you know that one of the ways the UK was planning to do so was by restricting the sale of paracetamol? The move comes in the backdrop of suicide and self-harm being on the rise in the United Kingdom. Let’s take a closer look: What is happening? The UK has vowed to reduce suicide rates by 2025. The government has released a new strategy to curb suicide deaths – its first in over a decade. As per data from the National Statistics office, England recorded 5,275 suicides in 2022.

That’s 10.6 suicides every 100,000 people.

As per Sky News, a document published by the UK government on Mondy stated that decreases in suicide deaths have stalled since 2018. “While overall the current suicide rate is not significantly higher than in 2012, the rate is not falling,” a government study published on Monday stated. “We must do all we can to prevent more suicides, save many more lives and ultimately reduce suicide rates.” “Urgent attention is needed to address and reverse these trends,” the document further stated. [caption id=“attachment_13111782” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Representational image.
Pixabay[/caption] As per inews.com, the document stated that over 5,000 people die by suicide every year in the UK. The Guardian quoted health secretary Steve Barclay as saying, “Too many people are still affected by the tragedy of suicide, which is so often preventable. This national cross-government strategy details over 100 actions we’ll take to ensure anyone experiencing the turmoil of a crisis has access to the urgent support they need.” It also pointed out that men commit suicide three times more than women and that suicide and self-harm have “increased in young people”. The government added “urgent attention” is required to reverse such harmful trends. The UK has listed ‘priority groups’ such as children, young persons, middle-aged men, people with a history of self-harm, pregnant women and new mothers, and the autistic for ‘tailored and targeted action’ Those in touch with mental health services and the justice system will also get support, as per inews.com. “It’s imperative we support people earlier to prevent them reaching the lowest point, while tackling emerging methods of suicide, and eradicating harmful material online,” Barclay was quoted as saying by the outlet. “We’re working at pace to achieve this, and we continue to invest billions of pounds to transform and improve our nation’s mental health services and, most importantly, save lives.” Mental health minister Maria Caulfield added: “The impact of suicide on individuals and loved ones is devastating. This strategy will bolster the work this government is already undertaking to reduce the number of suicides, and help us intervene where needed as early as possible.” Why target paracetamol? As per Sky News, the government has, as part of its over 100 initiatives, tasked medical experts to determine whether restricting the sales of medication containing paracetamol could bring down the suicide rate. According to The Telegraph, citizens can currently buy two packets of medicine containing paracetamol – 16 tablets of 500mg – at one go. NDTV quoted a 2018 study by Cambridge University Press as showing that paracetamol is the most common drug used to self-poison in the UK. It is also linked to fatal liver damage.

The study came from analysing the data of 80 patients.

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The data was collected by the Oxford Monitoring System for Attempted Suicide via a structured interview schedule, measures of depression and suicidal intent as well as with the results of liver function tests. While mental health groups have welcomed the push, they have warned that the UK government needs to put its money where its mouth is. The Guardian quoted Julie Bentley, chief executive of Samaritans, as saying: “A plan without proper funding is like a car with no petrol – it may look great but it’s not going to get you where you need to be.” With inputs from agencies

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