Welcome to DPIC
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The BC Drug and Poison Information Centre (DPIC) is the provincial drug and poison information centre for British Columbia, Canada.

Who we are:
DPIC is a division of the BC Centre for Disease Control, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, and is affiliated with the University of British Columbia. We are a member of the Canadian Association of Poison Control Centres (CAPCC) and the American Association of Poison Control Centres (AAPCC).

What we do:
  • Poison Control Centre:
    • Poisoning first aid and treatment advice.
    • Service to both public and health professionals.
    • 24-hr toll-free, province-wide telephone access.
    • Specially trained nurses, pharmacists, and medical toxicologists.
  • Drug Information Service:
    • Telephone consultation for healthcare professionals.
    • Toll-free access during business hours.
    • Pharmacists trained in providing drug information.
  • Other:
    • Education
    • Publications

Hydroxocobalamin Antidote for Cyanide Poisoning

Hydroxocobalamin has recently emerged as the preferred antidote for cyanide poisoning. It is effective with a rapid onset of action and may be better tolerated than existing antidotes such as nitrites.Attachment: Hydroxocobalamin Toxic Update newsletter
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Calcium Gluconate 2.5% Gel For Hydrofluoric Acid Burns

Hydrofluoric acid (HFA) is a weak acid commercially available in products such as rust removers, wheel cleaners, aluminum brighteners, and in products for etching glass. Exposure of HFA to the skin may cause immediate corrosive injury leading to deep tissue wounds, in addition to systemic toxicity such as electrolyte abnormalities and potentially ventricular arrhythmias. Until recently, calcium gluconate 2.5% gel has been commercially available as a topical antidote to reduce pain and the progression of the burn injury by binding the fluoride ions. This product is no longer available commercially.
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Poison Prevention Week • March 15-21, 2009

Each year in British Columbia over 20,000 people are poisoned and over half of these involve adolescents and adults. Many poisonings are unintentional and can be prevented. Adolescents and adults can be poisoned when medications are taken incorrectly, or when product label instructions are not read and followed.March 15-21, 2009 is Poison Prevention Week in Canada and the U.S. The B.C. Poison Control
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Diversity Health Fair 2009

Come visit the DPIC exhibit at the 2009 Diversity Health Fair being held at the Croatian Cultural Centre on Saturday, February 21st. Learn about medication safety and poison prevention around the home. Pamphlets, phone stickers and fridge magnets will be available.Visit www.amssa.org/healthfair2009 for more information.
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Final Update on Listeria Outbreak

The Public Health Agency of Canada has released their final update on the listeriosis outbreak linked to Maple Leaf meat products that occurred in August 2008. There were 5 confirmed cases and 2 deaths in BC that were caused by the outbreak strain.The full posting as well as additional information on the outbreak can be found here:Final Update - Listeria outbreak
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