Health Diaries > Prescription Drug Watch

Accidental Prescription Drug Deaths on the Rise

Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that accidental drug poisoning deaths rose 68% between 1999 and 2004. West Virginia had the largest increase in accidental drug deaths.

In an editorial note, the CDC researchers write: "Effective response to increasing fatal drug overdoses requires strengthening regulatory measures to reduce unsafe use of drugs, increasing physician awareness regarding appropriate pharmacologic treatment of pain and psychiatric problems, supporting best practices for treating drug dependence, and potentially modifying prescription drugs to reduce their potential for abuse."

Accidental drug-poisoning deaths on the rise

Filed under Drug Safety