The cynic might think that acetaminophen was added in such massive quantities with hydrocodone (Vicodin) and oxycodone (Percocet) [usually 500/50 ratios] as a way to discourage people from attempting to take more than the recommended dosage of opiates.

Kind of like how they used to put methanol into alcohol during prohibition, knowing full well it would kill some people, in an effort to scare people away from alcohol.

Even if that's not the case, it does seem reckless to put so much acetaminophen into each individual pill. I'd be very curious what percentage of those deaths were from overdoses on Vicodin and Percocet.