Paracetamol: calls to spring-clean stockpiles at home

Calls for a spring-clean of medicine cabinets following new studies revealing both stockpiling of paracetamol in our homes, and the nature of calls to the National Poisons Centre. The majority of calls about substances to the University of Otago's National Poisons Centre in 2018 concerned paracetamol, according to research lead by Dr Eeva-Katri Kumpula, a Finnish-registered pharmacist and postdoctoral fellow based there.  Children, half aged under five, are chief among those being exposed to or taking substances that might harm them. Mostly this occurs in the patient's own home and is unintentional, and most are advised to self-treat, or that no treatment is needed. Dr Kumpula lead both studies.  She discusses her findings with Kathryn Ryan.
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