As a contribution to a better understanding of the importance of Poison Control Centers, the present work focuses on their conception, organization and action as part of government institutions, private entities and the community. The importance of the sectors that deal with Prevention and Epidemiology, Toxicological Analysis and Scientific Research in these centers is particularly emphasized. Also the necessity for intervention in the areas of preventive public health by means of the creation of plans of action, particularly those related to public awareness, education and mental health, is stressed. Finally suggestions are made which, if implemented, should facilitate the understanding of cases of poisoning and hence diminish their incidence; this should result, in turn, in economy of available government resources, permiting development of more comprehensive treatment programs for patients suffering from poisoning.
Poison Control Centers; Poisoning