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Paracetamol Poisoning On The Increase In Lanka
Saturday, 26 January 2008 - 2:39 PM SL Time |  | |
 Prof. Ravindra FERNANDO
Paracetamol poisoning due to over dosing is on the increase in Sri Lanka and it appears whether in some cases people take this easily available pain killer in over doses to commit suicide.
Prof. Ravindra Fernando head of the National Poisons Information Centre at the National Hospital, Colombo made this observation in presenting a paper on paracetamol poisoning in Sri Lanka at the Asia Pacific Association of Clinical Toxicology held in Bangkok last month.
Prof. Fernando said retrospective analysis of Bed Head Tickets (BHT) at the National Hospital from 2003-2005 showed that there were 1,476 patients admitted to the hospital with poisoning, of this 845 cases were due to ingestion of paracetamol either alone or with another drug. Seventy one per cent of them were in the age group 11-30 years.
Only one patient of them died perhaps due to delayed treatment. 585 patients were discharged, 46 left the hospital against medical advice and 97 had been transferred back to the hospitals from where they were sent.
High Suicide Rate
Prof. Fernando said Sri Lanka has a high suicide rate, mainly due to acute poisoning with pesticides.
In the last few years paracetamol poisoning has shown a marked increase in city hospitals, and paracetamol, which is available in several brand names is the commonest pain killer used in Sri Lanka and in many other countries.
Problems In Hospitals
Pointing out the reasons, doctors face in some of the problems in treating these patients, he observed.
`As there are no tests available in some of the State hospitals to detect blood paracetamol levels, patients are treated without knowing the severity of poisoning in many instances`.
Cost Of Management
The cost of management of these patients which is around Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 50,000 each and the socio-economic costs of poisoning in general is a burden to the health services and the country.
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Source(s)
DailyNews |
zaharan
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 26 Jan 2008 08:41:41 GMT Report for Abuse
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The Sri Lankan Health Authorities should take immediate and drastic steps to make awareness to the public the severity of Paracetamol overdose considering the observation made by Prof. Fernando.
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Ramz
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 26 Jan 2008 13:42:29 GMT Report for Abuse
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This is a big ,not only health.. but a social, problem... GoSL, ministry of Health and other concerned bodies should study well the issue and do something...
As there are no tests available in some of the State hospitals to detect blood paracetamol levels, patients are treated without knowing the severity of poisoning in many instances
This is very common in sri lanka... hundreds of patients are to become in critical situations everyday because of that... most of doctors have no good diagnosis basics... still they are practicing medicate, wait and see method... not find out the problem and cure method.... we need to get lot of things done in this regard.. |
AnuD
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 26 Jan 2008 17:44:19 GMT Report for Abuse
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I think, GOSL need to control over the counter drugs without prescriptions.
Pharmaceies which do not obey the law need to have their licences cancelled.
I think, people are so used to pain killers,they are taking over doses.
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Ramz
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26 Jan 2008 17:51:29 GMT Report for Abuse
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AnuD
yes... government has taken that step already.......now medicine not issued by pharmacies unless they have a prescription with their bio description...
but, with panadol, disprin....etc, it can't work...all over the world they are available easily......even in small groceries... |
Gamma
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26 Jan 2008 19:30:44 GMT Report for Abuse
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Paracetamol poisoning due to over dosing is on the increase in Sri Lanka
Government should not allow to sell those in loose quantities. If this claim by Dr Fernando is true, this drug should be boxed or put in containers with clear visible instructions about the dosage. |
Aani
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 26 Jan 2008 19:41:22 GMT Report for Abuse
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Zaha
They should stop advertising paracetamol:)) |
MarkLevinson
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26 Jan 2008 20:13:27 GMT Report for Abuse
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Paracetamol Poisoning On The Increase In Lanka
Whaaat?......why they won't control the quality ? |
zaharan
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27 Jan 2008 04:50:17 GMT Report for Abuse
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paracetamol, which is available in several brand names
Folks,
The controlling, issue on prescription, stop advertising etc for all that, i think the biggest obstacle will be the availability of the drug in several brand names.
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