Staff at QPIC's Golden Jubilee symposium (left to right) QCH Director of Pharmacy Associate Professor Sonya Stacey, Associate Professor Katherine Isoardi, QPIC manager Carol Wylie and Professor John Pearn
For the past 50 years, Queensland families have relied on the expert team at the Queensland Poison Information Centre (QPIC) for urgent advice and support regarding drug and poison exposures.
The top five concerns reported to the service relate to children under four years old currently ingesting paracetamol, ibuprofen, dishwashing detergent, silica gel and multi-purpose cleaner.
Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in calls from parents concerned about exposure to vitamin gummies, button batteries and ADHD medications (methylphenidate, dexamfetamine and lisdexamfetamine) due to their increased availability and usage.
Melatonin exposure has also increased among children and adults, although calls are generally benign and much less concerning than previously used medications for sleep such as benzodiazepines, antihistamines or antipsychotics.
Carol Wylie, manager of QPIC said the centre has evolved over 50 years in response to the changing market.
“We take more than 100 calls a day that vary from people inadvertently taking the incorrect dose of medicine, to unknown, accidental and potentially dangerous exposures particularly in children.
“Trends have also changed over time as new and different medications and products come onto the market, requiring consideration of safe packaging and prevention measures.”
The 24/7 helpline, based at the Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH), is staffed by a small team of specialist pharmacists trained in toxicology, who give skilled advice to urgent, often life-threatening, concerns regarding drug and poison exposures.
In 2023, QPIC responded to more than 36, 000 calls - an increase of more than three thousand per cent on its first year of operation (985) in 1974. In the past 50 years, QPIC has responded to more than 1.1 million calls.
QPIC’s consumer base has also expanded to include other health care specialists. While approximately 48 per cent of calls are from concerned parents or carers, 20 per cent are from health professionals (outside the service), six per cent paramedics and 19 per cent patients themselves.
Carol Wylie said: "Fortunately for many callers we are able to provide reassurance, information on symptoms to watch for and first aid advice without the need for medical review.
“The QPIC team is extremely proud to have been supporting Queenslanders for 50 years and we will continue our commitment to easing concerns and helping ensure fast and effective treatment is available.”
To commemorate the service's Golden Jubilee, staff past and present, alongside health clinicians gathered at the QCH for a symposium, where experts in the field presented on some of the most common topics of concern for parents who are calling QPIC for help.