Sueros antiveneno

Abstract

The treatment of envenomation by venomous animals, snakes, and arthropods is based on the administration of specific antivenom serum. This serum must be used in the quantity indicated by regulations, as soon as possible after the envenomation, and by specialized medical personnel. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the antivenoms are effective, efficient, safe, sterile, and have maximum neutralizing potency against the venoms of the species in the region where theyare applied. In Peru, the only national producer of antivenoms is the National Institute of Health, through the National Center for Production and Strategic Goods for Public Health. At the request of the National Center for Supply of Strategic Health Resources (CENARES) of the Ministry of Health (MINSA), they are responsible for distributing them nationwide. Currently, efforts are underway among Latin American antivenom-producing laboratories (RELAPA), in conjunctionwith the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), to ensure that all countries in the region have access to high-qualityantivenom serums. The technological reality of antivenom production among Latin American countries is not homogeneous; most of them produce second and third generation serums, while fourth and fifth generation antivenomsare in the innovation and development phase.