HOUSE BILL 278

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2010

INTRODUCED BY

Janice E. Arnold-Jones

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC HEALTH; CREATING THE NEW MEXICO POISON AND DRUG INFORMATION CENTER.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. CENTER CREATED.--The "New Mexico poison and drug information center" is created as part of the university of New Mexico health sciences center.

     Section 2. DUTIES.--The New Mexico poison and drug information center shall:

          A. work to improve the health of New Mexicans by reducing illness and death associated with poisoning and by encouraging proper use of medications;

          B. identify and address problems associated with poisoning and medication-related illness through education and public service;

          C. provide expert, twenty-four-hour assistance to the residents of New Mexico during possible poisoning emergencies;

          D. work to reduce the costs associated with poisoning by treating people with less severe exposures at their homes with the center's guidance;

          E. train health care professionals in the field of clinical toxicology;

          F. expand knowledge in the field of clinical toxicology through an active research program;

          G. prevent poisonings through toxicosurveillance, education, regulation and collaboration with local, state and federal agencies;

          H. offer a drug information service that provides individualized, accurate, relevant and unbiased information to consumers and health care professionals regarding medication-related inquiries;

          I. help train pharmacists to be drug information providers;

          J. seek to effectively utilize the center's resources; and

          K. work to advance the center's institutional mission while supporting professional and personal growth.

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