AIMS & OBJECTIVES
VISION
To be Europe’s leading professional association in clinical toxicology.
PEOPLE
Engage and unite clinicians, scientists and academics working in all fields contributing to clinical toxicology.
MISSION
- Enhance understanding of the principles and practice of clinical toxicology.
- Advocate high professional standards for the practice of clinical toxicology in poisons centres, hospitals and all areas managing poisoned patients.
- Encourage research to improve care in clinical toxicology, information on poisoning and toxicovigilance.
- Advance the collection, harmonisation, exchange and dissemination of data on poisoning.
- Promote education and training in clinical toxicology and related disciplines.
- Facilitate international multidisciplinary collaboration both within Europe and more widely.
- Provide expertise in clinical toxicology for engaging with industry, government authorities and international organisations to represent and promote the role of poisons centres and the optimum management of the poisoned patient.
CONSTITUTION
The articles of the Association are detailed in the EAPCCT’s Constitution which can be viewed here.
HISTORY
The European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (EAPCCT) was established in 1964 as an international not-for profit multi-disciplinary scientific organisation to bring together clinical toxicologists, poisons centre specialists, scientists and academics to enhance the understanding of the principles and practice of clinical toxicology, and optimise the management of poisoned patients.
EAPCCT is Europe’s leading professional association in Clinical Toxicology and celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2024.
AFFILIATIONS
The EAPCCT works closely with sister Clinical Toxicology associations around the world, including:
The EAPCCT is a member of the International Union of Toxicology (IUTOX), and a member of Eurotox (Eurotox).
The importance of the EAPCCT for developments in European clinical toxicology and poisons information services is difficult to assess. The feeling and assumption is, however, that the Association has had a great impact, hardly possible to overestimate. Its great diversity of activities has helped to visualise and solve numerous problems and throw light on both challenges and possibilities. The EAPCCT has provided a forum for sharing experiences between centres, not only during the congresses, but in the every day work of poisons centres. This means that contacts are taken ad hoc with regard to special problems or unusual poisoning cases.
The importance of the EAPCCT for developments in European clinical toxicology and poisons information services is difficult to assess. The feeling and assumption is, however, that the Association has had a great impact, hardly possible to overestimate. Its great diversity of activities has helped to visualise and solve numerous problems and throw light on both challenges and possibilities. The EAPCCT has provided a forum for sharing experiences between centres, not only during the congresses, but in the every day work of poisons centres. This means that contacts are taken ad hoc with regard to special problems or unusual poisoning cases.
But also administrative matters, e.g. on prevention, labelling, contacts with authorities etc, can be discussed on an informal basis. The mere existence of the Association has strengthened the poisons centre case, not least in relation to authorities and industry. The Association has also meant access to colleagues with a vast or specific experience on special topics. In this way the EAPCCT has offered a network, where poisons centres can meet and exchange experiences. Self-evidently, a supreme role of the Association has been to influence general and specific strategies for the treatment of different poisonings and to establish new therapeutic routines. This is a key role that has become more and more obvious and prominent over the years. EAPCCT congress participants have a high moral, higher than in any other congress I have attended! They all seem to be there, all the time. The meetings are very interactive and the atmosphere is one of warmth and friendliness. The world ‘family’ comes into my mind. Having attended these congresses for two decades now, more than half of the participants are familiar. Part of Europe – the whole of Europe – North America – the next step might be to embrace the world. There is a great, perhaps even urgent, potential for widening the scope. There is much to share with others, and much to learn. Forty years have passed. There were 47 founder members in Tours, France, in September 1964. The EAPCCT today includes 343 members. That is a substantial increase, but not enormous. Shall we aim at becoming many more? Probably not. The moderate scale of the Association is a precious advantage.