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One of the two main supermarket chains in the country is limiting the sale of paracetamol to one packet per customer, following an accidental fatal overdose of a student.
Alannah Lee Spankie, 20, was unresponsive in her Dunedin apartment on June 20, 2017, about three days after an overdose of a large but unknown amount of acetaminophen.
He died in hospital the next morning from acute liver failure.
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Alannah Spankie did not take acetaminophen with the intention of taking her own life, a coroner found.
Coroner David Robinson ruled that she did not intend to take her own life. You want paracetamol sales in supermarkets to be limited to one packet at a time.
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On Friday, Countdown announced that all stores nationwide were limiting the sale of acetaminophen and items containing acetaminophen to one package per customer, following the medical examiner’s recommendations.
In New Zealand, supermarkets can legally sell acetaminophen without any limit on the number of packs that people can buy at one time.
Supplied
Spankie’s roommates found her largely unconscious in bed and called an ambulance. She died in the hospital the next day.
Countdown’s chief pharmacist, Jeremy Armes, said the company had been considering how it could help make selling the country’s most popular drug safer.
“Paracetamol is an incredibly useful and effective drug, but like all drugs, it must also be respected and treated with care.
“When a customer wants to buy large amounts of acetaminophen or items containing acetaminophen, we believe it is best to sell it in a pharmacy setting where a pharmacist can discuss the proper use of acetaminophen and the risks one by one.”
Armes said there is no doubt that mental health awareness, education and good medical support will make the biggest difference for those with mental illness.
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There are currently no limits on the amount of acetaminophen that people can buy in supermarkets.
“However, overdose also has important and sometimes tragic consequences, whether accidental or intentional. Everything we can do to reduce this risk is important. “
Spankie’s father, Mark Spankie, said the news was “a step in the right direction.”
“It’s amazing that there is some progress and that people are open to it, that’s great. If it stops someone else from going through what we’re going through, that’s great. “
The Medicines Classification Committee (MCC), chaired by the chief clinical advisor to the Ministry of Health, Andi Shirtcliffe, previously rejected the coroner’s recommendation to put limits on the quantities sold in pharmacies and other outlets.
The MCC is ready to discuss the coroner’s recommendations in future meetings.
“The MCC has the ability to recommend limiting the total dose of paracetamol per packet. However, any change in the classification would not allow a limit on the number of packages sold in a single purchase, ”a spokesman for the Health Ministry said Tuesday.
The coroner said that although Spankie deliberately took an “excessive amount” of acetaminophen, he did not believe it was with the intention of ending his life.
The Executive Director of the Food and Grocery Council, Katherine Rich, previously said the coroner’s report was a “heartbreaking read” but doubted that any restrictions on the sale of acetaminophen could have prevented Spankie’s death.
“[The coroner’s] the suggestions are well intentioned but not practical, ”he said.
“Education, label reading, better medical and mental health support are more likely to make a difference for at-risk patients.”
In cases of suspected overdose, people should seek urgent medical assistance (the New Zealand National Poison Center can obtain advice on 0800 764 766). More information on acetaminophen overdose is available on the NZ National Poisons Center website.
WHERE TO GET HELP:
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1737, do you need to talk? – Toll free or text 1737 to speak with a trained counselor
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Depression.org.nz – 0800 111757 or text message 4202
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Life line – 0800 543 354
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Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828865 (0508 SUPPORT)
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Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54 for people up to 18 years old. Open 24/7.
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Youthline – 0800 376 633, free text 234, email [email protected], or find online chat and other support options here.
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Rural support trust – 0800 787 254
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Samaritans – 0800 726 666
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What happens – 0800 942 8787 (for young people from 5 to 18 years old). Telephone counseling available Monday through Friday, noon to 11 p.m. M. And weekends, from 3 pm. M. A 11 p. M. Online chat is available from 3 pm to 10 pm every day.
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thelowdown.co.nz – Web chat, email chat or free text 5626
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Anxiety New Zealand – 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)
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Supporting families with mental illness – 0800 732 825.
