The PDIC serves all UAE healthcare facilities and its medical and healthcare staff. It also serves and receives inquiries from the general public in UAE
Poison and Drug Information Center Services
1. Poison management and prevention
· The PDIC assists the healthcare professionals and general public with poison emergencies by providing quick and accurate information in regard to the following
· Signs and symptoms of toxic exposures to specific poisons
- Overdos with medications
- Exposure to household chemicals, cosmetics, and pesticides
- Herbals, traditional medicines and dietary supplements
- Industrial chemicals exposure
- Bites and stings from venomous creatures
- Toxic plants
· First aid advice on management of toxic exposure
· Detailed advice on detailed medical management of poisonings
· Antidotes uses and availability
2. Safe Use of Medications
PDIC plays an important role in promoting medication safety through
- Trace and follow-up on medication errors and adverse drug events/side effects and circulates the relevant findings and recommendations to all healthcare professionals
- Circulate the latest recommendations regarding safe medication use to all healthcare professionals
3. Promoting Pharmaceutical Care
The aim of the PDIC is to enhance the level of pharmaceutical care by enabling physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to quickly access accurate and relevant poison and drug information. In addition, the center provides counseling and drug information to the public.
4. Newsletter Publication
The PDIC issues specialized publications to both healthcare professionals and general public in an effort to educate them on the safe and effective use of medicine, in addition to providing information on poison prevention.
5. Drug Formulary
- Evaluation of new medications
- Actively participate in the HAAD Formulary Committee
- Development of therapeutic guidelines and update the knowledge of healthcare professionals with information including indices for utilization of new medication
6. Continuing Medical Education
- Promote the training of pharmacists, physicians, and nurses working for the public and private sectors and other institutions in regards to poison and drug information
- Conduct education and training to pharmacy students on poison and drug informationParticipate in continuing medical and pharmacy education programs for the public and private sectors
7. Coordination of Drug Research
The PDIC will review protocols of pharmaceutical clinical research,actively participate in investigational review boards and keep track of pharmaceutical clinical research at HAAD facilities