Experts report big rise in enquiries about recreational drug mephedrone in 2009-10

4 October 2010

The Health Protection Agency's National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) has reported a large increase in enquiries related to the recreational drug mephedrone in 2009-10.

There were 4,500 online and 292 telephone enquiries from health care professionals related to mephedrone in the last year - up from none in 2008/9. The figures are revealed in the NPIS 2009-10 annual report which is being published today.

Mephedrone, which rarely featured in NPIS enquiries before 2009-10, was the most common so-called recreational drug to feature in NPIS telephone enquiries in the last 12 months. It was also the third most commonly involved in online enquiries[1].

Mephedrone is part of a class of drugs called cathinones which are stimulants with effects similar to amphetamines. The drug along with many other cathinones was classified in April 2010 as a Class B controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Professor Simon Thomas, director of NPIS (Newcastle), said: "The major change in the NPIS workload in 2009/10 came from an increase in enquiries related to mephedrone.

"Telephone enquiries to NPIS about mephedrone have fallen substantially since it was classified a Class B controlled substance in April, from 119 enquiries received in March to 19 received in June 2010."

NPIS study of household cleaning products

A study by NPIS units of 5,939 enquiries related to household products over 14 months has revealed that the most common products were:

• Fabric cleaning liquid tablets (647 enquiries)
• Bleach (473)
• Multipurpose cleaner (408)
• Descaler (397)
• Disinfectant/antiseptic/sanitiser liquid (270)

The research showed that a majority of enquiries (65%) related to children aged five or less and that enquiries came predominantly from hospitals (32%), general practitioners (30%), and NHS Direct/ NHS 24 (28%). A majority of exposures were at home (98%) and were accidental (94%).

Most poisonings resulted from exposure through ingestion - swallowing - (76%), through eye contact (8%), breathing in (7%) or through skin contact (3%).

Professor Thomas said: "The increased use of fabric cleaning liquid tablets - which are placed directly into the drum rather than poured into a washing machine - has caused concern as the liquid they contain can be released if the sachet comes into contact with moisture.

"The contents are an irritant which can cause short term damage to the eyes. Most enquiries were for children under five years of age. Parents and carers have a vital role to play in ensuring that these products are stored safely at all times."

NPIS enquiries in 2009/2010

In total, NPIS received more than 578,000 poisons-related telephone and online enquiries from health care professionals in 2009/10.  There were around 525,000 online enquiries, and more than 53,000 telephone enquiries.

NHS acute hospitals accounted for more than 60% of online enquiries and more than 30% of telephone enquiries. Enquiries from NHS Direct (in England and Wales) and NHS 24 (in Scotland) accounted for 30% of online sessions and 20% of the telephone enquiries.

Dr John Cooper, director of the HPA's Centre for Radiation, Chemicals and Environmental Hazards said: "The work of the NPIS is essential in helping deliver the best possible care for those suffering serious effects while preventing unnecessary hospital admissions when the risk to health is low."

Notes for editors

• The National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) is a clinical toxicology service for health care professionals working in the NHS.  It is endorsed by the Department of Health (DH) and commissioned by the HPA.  It provides expert evidence-based advice on all aspects of acute and chronic poisoning, supporting best practice in the diagnosis and management of patients who may have been accidentally or deliberately poisoned, whether by ingestion, injection, inhalation or skin or eye contact.  Further information can be obtained from http://www.hpa.org.uk/ProductsServices/ChemicalsPoisons/PoisonsInformationServices/NationalPoisonsInformationServices/
• The Health Protection Agency commissions the four units of NPIS in Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Newcastle to provide information and support on the diagnosis and management of poisoning to health care professionals in the UK.
• National Poisons Information Service Annual Report 2009/10 is available at http://www.hpa.org.uk/Publications/ChemicalsPoisons/NationalPoisonsInformationServiceAnnualReports/pubNPISannualreport2010/ and hard copies are available from: Information Office, CRCE, HPA, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX110RQ, tel 01235 822742 or 01235 822603 or email chiltoninformationoffice@hpa.org.uk

 

1. NPIS Annual Report 2009/10: Page 27.

For media enquiries contact the HPA's CRCE press office on 01235 822745 or 01235 822876.

Last reviewed: 4 October 2010