Amit Sharma, Vinay Pandit
Poison is a substance capable of producing damage or dysfunction in the body by its chemical activity. Poisoning can be accidental or intentional. In many parts of the developing countries pesticide poisoning, food poisoning, drug over dose, insecticidal poisoning, chemicals and cosmetics poisoning, animals and plants poisoning causes more deaths than infectious diseases. Poisoning with the Organophosphate pesticide is responsible for the majority of deaths in most cases, particularly those from rural areas. Easy accessibility and low cost of the pesticides is one of the common reasons of self-poisoning. Self-poisoning with plants parts, although uncommon globally, is locally popular in some regions. Poisoning may be an attempt at suicide in depressed persons. Other higher groups include the elderly, hospitalized patients, drug errors, workers exposed to occupational chemicals and persons exposed to environmental pollution. Regulating availability of pesticides and improving medical management could have a rapid effect on deaths from self-harm in rural areas. Information and identification of certain products like household products, corrosives chemicals, Industrial chemicals, poisonous plants, animal poisoning (Snakebite, scorpion, spider bite), and look alike products may help in management of poisoning. Management of poisoning is one of the biggest challenges facing by the physicians at present globally. The branch of Department of Pharmacology, Laureate Institute of Pharmacy in collaboration with selected hospital, made the Brochure and leaflets which include the First aid of poisoning, poison prevention tips, identification and presentation of the different animals and poisonous plants in India, which will help in management of poisoning.
