The Arab Toxicology Competition, launched in 2021 during the 2nd International Conference on Toxicology and Pharmacology, is a prestigious regional initiative for healthcare students. Initially a national event with nine Saudi universities, it expanded to include 50 universities across the Arab world by 2024. Held as part of the 6th International Conference, Workshops, and Exhibition on Pharmacy and Toxicology (KSAPT) from October 20 to 23, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the Global Health Exhibition and Global Forensic Excellence Summit (GFEX), the competition fosters scientific collaboration, evidence-based decision-making, and multidisciplinary teamwork. It features simulations, case studies, hands-on workshops, and expert-led discussions, making it a leading platform for toxicology education.

Who Can Participate?

The competition is open to Senior Undergraduate students (preferably in their final or pre-final years) from the following colleges:

• Pharmacy
• Medicine
• Applied Sciences (Laboratory specialization)
• Nursing

Individual or Group Registration?

Group registration only. Each university nominates one team consisting of three students from different colleges (e.g., one from Medicine, one from Pharmacy, one from Applied Sciences or Nursing). At least two different colleges must be represented.

How Can I Win?

The competition consists of three rounds:

1. First Round: Onsite written electronic exam with a direct elimination system based on score and time.
2. Second Round: Onsite written electronic exam, narrowing down to the top three teams.
3. Final Round: Face-to-face oral competition involving MCQs, short questions, clinical cases, and case simulations. In case of a tie, a single rapid-response question determines the winner.

Competition Dates

• Competition Announcement: 15 May 2025
• Invitations to Universities: 15 May - 30 June 2025
• Submission Deadline (Arab Universities outside KSA): 1 July 2025
• Submission Deadline (Local Universities in KSA): 1 August 2025
• Declaration of Participating Teams: 1 September 2025
• First Stage: TBA
• Second Stage: TBA
• Final Stage: TBA
• Awards Ceremony: October 22, 2025 (during KSAPT closing ceremony)

Language & Content

All communication and competition materials will be in English.

Conditions and Procedures

Team Formation

• Each university nominates one team of three students from different colleges (Medicine, Pharmacy, Applied Sciences, or Nursing).
• Teams must include students from at least two different colleges.
• Students should preferably be in their fifth year or above (final or pre-final years).
• An advisor for each team is highly recommended.

Curriculum

The competition covers the following topics:

• General approach to a poisoned patient
• Updated antidotes
• Toxicology for special populations
• Analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications
• Food poisoning, toxicity of dietary and nutritional agents
• Pharmaceuticals (anticonvulsants, antidiabetics, antihistamines, antineoplastics, antimicrobials, cardiopulmonary medications, psychotropic medications)
• Substances of abuse
• Metals' toxicities
• Household products
• Toxic alcohols
• Pesticides
• Natural toxins and envenomations
• Toxic gases (e.g., carbon monoxide, cyanide)
• Basics of analytical toxicology
• Basics of forensic toxicology
• Communication skills in toxicological practice

References

The following references are recommended for preparation (not exhaustive, and questions may not be limited to these sources):

• Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies, 11th Edition, 2019, McGraw-Hill Education
• Goldfrank's Manual of Toxicologic Emergencies, 1st Edition, 2019, McGraw-Hill Education
• Poisoning and Drug Overdose, Kent R. Olson, 6th Edition, 2011, McGraw-Hill Education
• Fundamentals of Analytical Toxicology, Robert J. Flanagan et al., 2007, John Wiley & Sons
• DiMaio Forensic Pathology (Chapter 23: Forensic Toxicology)

Note: The reference list is a study aid. The scientific committee does not endorse these references exclusively, and exam questions may draw from other sources.

Question Format

• Types: True/False, short answers, problem-solving, case scenarios, MCQs, etc.
• Difficulty: Easy, intermediate, and challenging.
• First and Second Rounds: Written electronic exams.
• Final Round: Oral exam with MCQs, short questions, clinical cases, and case simulations.

Competition Details

• First and Second Rounds: Onsite, written, electronic exams with a direct elimination system based on score and time.
• Final Round: Face-to-face oral competition among the top three teams.
• Tiebreaker: In case of a draw in the final round, a single rapid-response question determines the winner.

Awards and Prizes

• All Participants:
• Participation certificates
• Free registration to the KSAPT 2025 conference
• Winners:
• Competition winner certificate
• Valuable prizes
• Awards will be presented during the KSAPT closing ceremony on October 22, 2025.

Contact Information

For inquiries, contact: ATC@ksapt.org