ANTIDOTES;

Abstract

Introduction: To assess the current status of antidotes in hospital formulary& their comparison with list of antidotes mentioned in National Essential Drug List (NEDL).Evaluation of treatments for poisoned patients and establishment of Poison Control Center (PCC).Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Different Government and Private Hospitalsof Lahore. Period: 02 months (August 2015 - September 2016). Material and Methods: Adetailed questionnaire was prepared for the collection of data. Data was illustrated as graphsand tables. Results: All antidotes mentioned in NEDL are present not in a single hospital ofLahore. Atropine (87%), Flumazenil (80%), Magnesium Sulphate (80%) were present in majorityof the hospitals. On the contrary, Penicillamine, Obidoxime and Sodium Thiosulphate wereobsolete in all hospitals. Although antidotes were not fully available in both government andprivate hospitals of Lahore but the situation is worse in case of private hospitals. Conclusion:High cost and late procurement are the reasons for Delay in treatment of poisoned patients.Not a single Poison Control Center is present in Lahore. Affirmative actions should be taken toimprove the accessibility of antidotes in hospitals. There is emergent need to establish PoisonControl Center.