National Poisons Information Centre in a developing Asian country--the first year's experience

The National Poisons Information Centre (NPIC) in Sri Lanka was established in January 1988. It received 353 enquiries in the first year of which 37% concerned pesticide poisoning. More than half the instances were of self-poisoning; consistent with the high suicide rate in the island. Over a quarter of poisoning episodes were among 19-25 year olds. Follow-up of enquiries showed 31 (9%) deaths. Collaboration with developed countries helped in the formation of the NPIC, fulfilling a long felt need among doctors in the island.