How to establish a drug and toxicology information centre in a developing country
Kasilo, O.J.; Nhachi, C.F.
Essential Drugs Monitor 16: 8-9
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 1015-0919 PMID: 12319054 Document Number: 333845
Due to limited personnel and resources, developing countries must consider providing drug and toxicology information services under one roof. While there are both advantages and disadvantages to combining these services, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Guidelines are presented to help developing countries interested in establishing or strengthening capabilities for drug and toxicology information centers and related facilities. Such centers should be part of the teaching curriculum and continuing education for health professionals and the public, and should therefore be located in a medical teaching institution, with the World Health Organization and similar institutions participating in their establishment. The guidelines are based upon the experience of established drug information centers in developed countries and one drug and toxicology center in Zimbabwe which has been operating since 1979. Guidelines should be adapted to the local socioeconomic, cultural, and therapeutic norms of each country. Documentation, personnel and qualifications, office, equipment and facilities, transport, legal status and financial support, exposure/visibility, twinning arrangements, and human resource development are considered.