Over the past three years, PRN has demonstrated significant achievements through a diverse portfolio of research and community-based projects, reflecting its pivotal role in public health and toxicology in Malaysia. In 2023, the Centre led a groundbreaking national survey on the accessibility and availability of electronic nicotine and non-nicotine delivery systems (ENDS/ENNDS), funded by the World Health Organization, providing vital data to inform national tobacco control policies. The Centre also advanced poison prevention literacy among indigenous Orang Asli children in Sungai Siput, Perak, through a UNESCO Malaysia-supported initiative that empowered local communities with knowledge and practical skills for safer living environments. In the same year, the Centre fostered youth empowerment and tobacco-free generation efforts by training university students, teachers, and secondary school students using participatory methods, and supported entrepreneurs in developing high-quality, safe traditional health products, both under institutional grants from USM’s community and industry engagement division.
In 2024, the Centre deepened its scientific impact with two major Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) projects, elucidating the role of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and novel ß-carboline compounds in caspase-independent cell death mechanisms in chronic myelogenous leukemia, thus contributing to cancer research and potential therapeutic innovations. The Centre secured FRGS and WHO grants to unveil toxic chemicals and respiratory health risks in e-cigarette aerosols, developing new strategies for aerosol collection and metabolomics-based cellular response analysis, which are crucial for understanding and mitigating vaping-related health hazards. The Centre also continued its collaboration with WHO in tracking the accessibility, affordability, and use of vaping products among Malaysian schoolchildren, generating critical evidence for youth tobacco prevention strategies.
In 2025, the Centre expanded its research scope to pesticide safety, a retrospective study on the epidemiology of acute pesticide poisoning in Malaysia, supported by the Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention at the University of Edinburgh. This project evaluates the effects of national bans on hazardous pesticides like paraquat, carbofuran, and chlorpyrifos, aiming to inform regulatory policy and reduce poisoning incidents. Collectively, these achievements underscore the National Poison Centre’s leadership in toxicology, public health advocacy, scientific discovery, and community empowerment, with sustained support from international organizations and national agencies.
A crowning achievement during this period was the Centre’s role as host and organiser of the 22nd Scientific Congress of the Asia Pacific Association of Medical Toxicology (APAMT) in November 2024, held in Penang. This major international event, themed “Transforming the Toxicology Landscape for a Safer and Sustainable Tomorrow,” brought together leading toxicologists, clinicians, and public health experts from across the globe to discuss advances in poisoning care, emerging contaminants, AI in toxicology, and chemical emergency preparedness. The congress also marked the Centre’s 30th anniversary, honouring its legacy as Southeast Asia’s first poison centre and a WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Information. The event underscored the Centre’s enduring commitment to excellence, innovation, and global collaboration in toxicology, while highlighting Penang’s growing status as a hub for medical tourism and scientific exchange. Through its research, community initiatives, and international leadership, PRN continues to drive progress in poison management, prevention, and public health for Malaysia and the region.