Saudi pharmacists tour local facility
Duo studies how center collects, processes drug and poison data
By Earl Horlyk Journal staff writer | Posted: Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Saudi Arabian pharmacists Omar Al-Burikan, left, and Mohammed A Barasain listen as Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center operator Pat Gunia explains a call at Sioux City-based poison center Monday, March 2, 2008. The Saudis were touring the center in preparation for opening a national center in their country. (Sioux City Journal photo by Tim Hynds)
SIOUX CITY - Providing expert drug and poison information to people half way around the world.
That's what officials at Sioux City's Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center (ISPCC) were up to Tuesday when two Saudi Arabian pharmacists visited as a part of a week-long fact finding tour.
"We want to see how the poison control center is operated," said Mohammed A. Barasain, "and how it's able to serve all Iowans."
Barasain and Omar Al-Burikan are both drug information pharmacists involved in establishing the first national Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC) in Saudi Arabia. To be located in Riyadh, the center is expected to open in 2009. A part of the recently established Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), it will serve more than 20 million people.
"We want to be a nationwide source of drug information," Al-Burikan said, "We will also provide information on poison management and prevention to both the public and health care professionals."
Meeting with the ISPCC's managing director Linda Kalin, the two pharmacists were given an introduction to how the poison control center collects its data and how that data is distributed to both the public and healthcare professionals.
In addition to Sioux City, Barasain and Al-Burikan will be going to the Iowa Drug Information Network (IDIN) in Coralville.
"Both Mohammed and Omar use the Iowa Drug Information Service (IDIS) database, which the IDIN produces," said Ronald A. Herman, director of IDIN. "They used it in their School of Pharmacy at the University of Riyadh and wish to have additional training."
According to Herman, several countries have utilized the database developed in Iowa.
"We've had representatives from Malaysia, India and Ghana tour our facilities," he said. "I've also gone to the United Arab Emirates to train people who are now operating their own National Drug and Poison Center."
Although Barasain and Al-Burikan are the first Saudis to tour his facilities, Herman said one of his former students is current a faculty member at the University of Riyadh's School of Pharmacy.
"We are well-known in many foreign countries," he said.
Kalin said she feels the tour through the ISPCC will give the two men an indication of what occurs on a daily basis at the 60 other poison control centers across the country.
"Looking at their objectives," she explained, "their aims are very similar to ours. Their poison control center will be a consulting center, much like ours. They will act as consultants to emergency rooms across the country, much like we do."
"The difference," Kalin added, "is that where we assist approximately 3 million patients, they will be responsible for approximately 20 million."
Kalin hopes that this will be the start of an ongoing dialogue.
Barasain agrees.
"The people of Iowa very been extremely friendly towards us," he said.
That's what officials at Sioux City's Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center (ISPCC) were up to Tuesday when two Saudi Arabian pharmacists visited as a part of a week-long fact finding tour.
"We want to see how the poison control center is operated," said Mohammed A. Barasain, "and how it's able to serve all Iowans."
Barasain and Omar Al-Burikan are both drug information pharmacists involved in establishing the first national Drug and Poison Information Center (DPIC) in Saudi Arabia. To be located in Riyadh, the center is expected to open in 2009. A part of the recently established Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA), it will serve more than 20 million people.
"We want to be a nationwide source of drug information," Al-Burikan said, "We will also provide information on poison management and prevention to both the public and health care professionals."
Meeting with the ISPCC's managing director Linda Kalin, the two pharmacists were given an introduction to how the poison control center collects its data and how that data is distributed to both the public and healthcare professionals.
In addition to Sioux City, Barasain and Al-Burikan will be going to the Iowa Drug Information Network (IDIN) in Coralville.
"Both Mohammed and Omar use the Iowa Drug Information Service (IDIS) database, which the IDIN produces," said Ronald A. Herman, director of IDIN. "They used it in their School of Pharmacy at the University of Riyadh and wish to have additional training."
According to Herman, several countries have utilized the database developed in Iowa.
"We've had representatives from Malaysia, India and Ghana tour our facilities," he said. "I've also gone to the United Arab Emirates to train people who are now operating their own National Drug and Poison Center."
Although Barasain and Al-Burikan are the first Saudis to tour his facilities, Herman said one of his former students is current a faculty member at the University of Riyadh's School of Pharmacy.
"We are well-known in many foreign countries," he said.
Kalin said she feels the tour through the ISPCC will give the two men an indication of what occurs on a daily basis at the 60 other poison control centers across the country.
"Looking at their objectives," she explained, "their aims are very similar to ours. Their poison control center will be a consulting center, much like ours. They will act as consultants to emergency rooms across the country, much like we do."
"The difference," Kalin added, "is that where we assist approximately 3 million patients, they will be responsible for approximately 20 million."
Kalin hopes that this will be the start of an ongoing dialogue.
Barasain agrees.
"The people of Iowa very been extremely friendly towards us," he said.
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Najla Barasain wrote on Mar 6, 2008 6:58 AM: