[Antidote availability in Norway].
BACKGROUND
Antidotes are therapeutic substances that are used primarily to counteract the toxic action of poisonous agents and thus have an important role in the treatment of poisoning. Antidote availability is crucial for the poisoned patient; it is important that hospitals keep antidotes in stock to treat these patients. Most antidotes are expensive, infrequently used, and have short shelf-lives. This makes hospital stocking economically difficult. In Norway, there is no national antidote programme.


METHODS
The National Poisons Information Centre recently made an inquiry about antidote stocking in Norwegian hospitals.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey showed that the antidote availability is not satisfactory. The availability of antidotes in Norwegian hospitals is discussed and recommendations are given.
Solheim
Lene
L
Giftinformasjonssentralen Postboks 8189 Dep 0034 Oslo.
Andrew
Erik
E
Jacobsen
Dag
D
D000931:Antidotes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D016527:Drug Costs; D004356:Drug Storage; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D011039:Poison Control Centers; D011041:Poisoning / Q000188:drug therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000931:Antidotes