Toxicovigilance Systems and Practices in Africa

• DOI: 10.3390/toxics4030013
• Publication Date: 2016-07-28T14:04:56Z
• Authors: Pouokam Bertrand; Hatem Ahmed; Randolph Ngwafor; Chiara Frazzoli
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 13. Climate action; Commentary; 3. Good health

African consumers and citizens are growingly aware of the wide range toxic poisoning scenarios from different products hazards. Recurrent episodes on that have been reported in Africa include hazards consumers’ ranging food to herbal medicine, drugs, cosmetics. Chemical remains an issue is overlooked by public health stakeholders Africa. Available information toxicovigilance systems practices countries reviewed terms increasing development, organization articulation levels. Less than nine out 54 a legally recognized system. Of these, majority created recently, facing many challenges developing them, at regional country Basic structures for good system phone line service (available 24/7), hospital facilities. Pesticides emerge as hazard all systems, may represent prototypic toxicant towards inclusive wider spectrum toxicological protection community health. Toxicovigilance today more reactive preventive Africa, but some milestones present constitute promising seminal efforts.