Inadequate antidote stocking is a global problem in hospitals. Insufficient supplies and delays in the administration of antidotes could lead to death and additional potentially negative clinical consequences. Our objective was to determine the availability of antidotes in hospitals listed on the Saudi Ministry of Health website in the Riyadh Province and to evaluate the leading poison in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted using questionnaires. The questionnaires were distributed to pharmacist directors and emergency room-treating physicians in 17 public hospitals throughout the Riyadh Province. None (0/17) of the pharmacies contained the 24 recommended essential antidotes by the expert consensus guidelines for stocking of antidotes in hospitals. Polyvalent scorpion antivenom, atropine sulphate, calcium gluconate, flumazenil and naloxone hydrochloride were stocked in 94.12% (16/17) of hospitals. 66.67% of patients presented with osmolality, and 55.56% of referral patients with opiates, barbiturates, acetaminophen and salicylate. Our findings have important implications for healthcare institutions and pharmaceutical practices. National practice guidelines are needed to assist pharmacists in selecting appropriate antidotes based on the local pattern of poisoning incidents. Therefore, further study in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia needs to be completed to fully evaluate the availability of antidotes throughout the country.

Background: Drug Information Centers (DICs) and Drug and Poison Information Centers (DPICs) in Saudi Arabia are pharmacy-based departments that provide drug information services for prescribers and or public. We sought to evaluate their current role in handling poisoning cases. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of all DICs and DPICs in Riyadh and included 17 potential respondent centers. We developed a brief questionnaire with nine questions about DICs and DPICs resources. Results: The response rate was 82%. Most responding centers provide service only during daytime hours. Three provide services on weekends, and five have staff on-call after business hours. Handling poisoning cases is not available in five centers and found to be minimal among all other centers. Conclusion: DICs and DPICs provide limited poison information services in Saudi Arabia. In accord with the current Vision 2030 reform effort, establishing comprehensive poison control center services is a necessity for the health care system in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.