DRUG AND POISON INFORMATION - THE TYGERBERG EXPERIENCE

This report is based on an analysis of 6 411 consultations processed b y the Tygerberg Pharmacology and Toxicology Consultation Centre. Seven ty-five per cent of the consultations were of a toxicological nature: 47% related to non-drug chemicals, 37% to drugs and 16% to plants and animals. Pesticides utilised in the home environment featured most pro minently in the non-drug chemical group, while queries about paracetam ol overdose topped the list in the drug group. The most frequent queri es in the biological category concerned potentially poisonous plants. Twenty-five per cent of the consultations related to pharmacotherapeut ics. Most potentially toxic exposures to non-drug chemicals occurred i n the household setting. Contrary to popular belief, few acute pestici de poisonings were encountered as a result of exposures during farming activities. Another important finding was that there is a frustrating lack of reliable and readily available information in respect of pote ntially toxic ingredients contained in household and industrial prepar ations. The large number of household exposures highlights the need fo r education in the safe storage and usage of non-drug chemicals. Legis lation on the inclusion of basic toxicological information and warning s on labels of household and industrial non-drug chemical products sho uld be considered. In addition, the Government should take responsibil ity for centralising information on all potentially toxic non-drug che micals and make this information available to poison centres at all ti mes. It is also imperative that more attention be given to the trainin g of health care professionals in applied pharmacokinetics and toxicol ogy.