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Citation |
Thomas SHL. Br. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 2012; 73(6): 878-883. |
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Affiliation |
Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2012, John Wiley and Sons) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
22360732 |
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Abstract |
Clinical toxicology concerns the investigation, diagnosis, and management of suspected poisoning. It is an important discipline, because of the frequency of suspected poisoning, including drug overdose. In the UK most episodes are managed by non-specialists, with support provided on-line or by telephone from the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS). Leadership and clinical support for this is provided by a small number of clinical toxicologists, who are almost invariably accredited specialists in clinical pharmacology and therapeutics. Priorities for maintaining and enhancing clinical toxicology as a sub-speciality in the UK include: 1. Maintaining funding for poisons centres. This is essential in spite of current budgetary pressures. 2. Formal training in the discipline. The 1-year optional training module in clinical toxicology approved in 2011 as part of the CPT curriculum represents important progress, but funding appropriate programmes and accreditation for trainees from other relevant disciplines is needed. Arrangements for registration and revalidation are also required. 3. An improved evidence base for managing poisoning. Priority areas include continuing surveillance of the epidemiology and outcomes of poisoning, including syndromic surveillance, more rapid characterization of the human toxicity of newly-introduced medicines and better clinical evidence on use of antidotes and other treatments, for example acetylcysteine and lipid emulsion therapy. © 2012 The Author. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology © 2012 The British Pharmacological Society. Language: en |