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Abstract

1. Following the establishment, in the USA, of the first poisons information centre, in 1953, the movement has grown globally. Originally, such a service was intended to meet an emergency need. Its efficacy has still not been objectively audited. 2. The suggestion now is that clinical toxicology has become such a diverse subject within the community that simply answering emergency calls over the telephone is not enough. Instead, expertly staffed clinical toxicology units should be set up to cater for much wider problems.