- Painkiller ban 'has cut suicides'

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The controversial withdrawal of a common painkiller has dramatically cut

suicides, say researchers.

A gradual phase-out of co-proxamol led to 350 fewer suicides and accidental

deaths in England and Wales, a study in the British Medical Journal reports.

Regulators removed the drug's licence in 2007 after fears about the risk of

overdose but the move proved unpopular with some patients and doctors.

Arthritis Care says some patients now struggle to control their pain.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency announced the withdrawal

in 2005.

GPs were encouraged to move patients to other painkillers before the drug's

licence was revoked in 2007.

After that time doctors could prescribe the drug on a " named patient basis " for

those who could not manage their pain with alternatives but as it is unlicensed

they did so at their own risk.

Study leader Professor Hawton, director of the Centre for Suicide Research

at Oxford University, said before the restrictions co-proxamol was responsible

for a fifth of all drug-related suicides.

By the 2007 deadline, prescribing of the drug had fallen by 59%, his analysis

showed.

Over the two-year period, deaths from co-proxamol fell by 62%.

Specifically there were 295 fewer suicides and 349 fewer deaths from the drug

including accidental overdoses.

The research also showed that had been no increase in deaths from other

painkillers, despite large increases in their use.

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http://www.youcurve.net/content/painkiller-ban-has-cut-suicides