US Rx painkiller overdoses on the rise

Research presented at the USA's National Safety Council meeting in Anaheim, California, has revealed that, unlike many other causes of accidental death, overdoses triggered by prescription painkillers have shown a dramatic increase, rising 100% from 2000 to 2006. Janet Froetscher, the Council's president, told WebMD.com that there is a false perception that the problem is caused by "kids getting into the medicine cabinet," a view reinforced by federal government campaigns to raise awareness of the issue (Marketletter February 25).

Using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr Froetscher told delegates that the biggest increase in accidental poisonings occurred in the 45-64 years age group over the previous 10 years. The rate of increase in the 25-44 years population was also higher than for 15-24-year-olds. The painkillers most likely to be associated with overdoses were buprenorphone, fentanyl, hydrocodone, methadone and oxycodone. The CDC figures also confirm that two illegal narcotics, cocaine and heroin, between them account for 39% of deaths, while prescription opiod drug abuse is blamed for 38%.