1 During the first 31 weeks of operation, the Cairo Poison Control Centre received 463 enquiries.
2 Accidental poisoning predominated with 54% of cases involving children under 5 years of age whilst attempted suicide was reported in only 21 %.
3 When these early experiences are compared with the observations from the European Poison Control Centres, there are a number of marked differences including the types of drugs and chemicals involved.
4 Problems associated with drugs considered obsolete in Europe, inadequately labelled chemicals and inappropriate treatments have already been highlighted, and preventive measures are being considered.
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