The death of pop idol Whitney Houston has highlighted questions over the role of regular pharmaceutical drugs as a leading cause of death in the United States.
While reports said Houston drowned in her bathtub, speculation has grown that the star may also have taken prescription drugs and alcohol. The official cause of death will not be known for many weeks.
A number of celebrities, including singers and actors, have died after overdosing on prescription drugs that were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Among them were singer Michael Jackson, who died in 2010 after being given Demerol, and actor Heath Ledger in 2008.
