Poisoning-associated Deaths for England and Wales between 1973 and 1980

1 The annual number of deaths in England and Wales associated with poisoning by solids and liquids over the 8-year period between 1973 and 1980 has remained fairly constant with an average of 2897. 2 Marked trends in the number of deaths associated with specific drugs are evident and apparently reflect prescription trends and drug availability. 3 Barbiturate poisonings dropped steadily following the downward trend in barbiturate prescriptions. 4 Deaths associated with dextropropoxyphene, paracetamol and certain benzodiazepines increased dramatically.