Prof. Mohamed Ahmed Al-Kanhal, Acting Executive President of the (SFDA), stated that the Saudi Food and Drug Authority prepared a long term strategy which aims to present an educational programs concerning about the health, food, drug and how to use the medical devices. This has been according to concerns and care of government of the custodian of the two holy mosques to match all factors that concerns the safety of citizens and residences of this generous country and in accordance with instructions of his royal highness Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz, deputy of Prime Minister, minister of defense, aviation, general inspector and the head of Saudi Food and Drug Authority administration board.

SFDA announced that it is intend to Launch the activates week of drug poisoning prevention from 14-20 dhual-qadah (24-30 November). The title of this week is going to be (incaution might be fatal). Moreover, the statistics shows that 5000 drug and chemical poisoning conditions has been recorded during the year 1427H. Most of these conditions occur in homes to the Childs who are below 5 years old. So it is important to educate the parents about the poisoning prevention and giving them the necessary safety information, because the children can’t protect them self completely from the poisoning or know the difference between the toxic and nontoxic materials. Providing a safety environment for those Childs is the responsibility of adults, parents, teachers and kids healthcare providers.

This educational week aims for teaching the children to ask adults before they touch, taste and smell objects that might be toxic and to give the adults instructions of how to protect their Childs from poisoning. Also, clarify the importance of calling the drug and poison information centre directly when the poisoning condition occur.

The activates of drug poisoning prevention week include, holding educational lectures for the society in hospitals and distribute educational materials to parents and kids specially the ones that looks entertaining such as: stories and paintings. In addition, buildup a special corner (nook) at some shopping centers in Riyadh for painting and entertaining contest and holding an educational art exhibition. Also, the distribution of different educational materials on the Kingdom’s cities.

Regarding to this issue, Prof. Saleh A. Bawazir, Vice President of Drug Affairs, confirmed the importance of educating the society about precaution when dealing with drugs and industrial products that used in houses such as: antiseptics and insecticide because it might turn to be an actual threat on kids and led to death if it is not used in right way. Also, Prof. Bawazir confirmed that since the authority was established, it is understand the importance of educational programs because it is believes on the connection between the educational role and its monitoring role which aims to what is benefit the country and its citizens.