ANTI DOPING ISC & ICGP Join Forces to Educate Medical Professionals on Doping
IRISH SPORTS COUNCIL ANTI-DOPING INFORMATION UPDATE
a. Council and ICGP Join Forces to Educate Medical Professionals
b. Irish Sport Anti-Doping Programme Working with WADA at Major International Events
c. World Anti-Doping Agency Changes to Prohibited List.
February 2, 2006.
Council and ICGP Join Forces to Educate Medical Professionals
The Irish Sports Council and the Irish College of General Practitioners have joined forces to produce an updated guide for medical professionals on doping in sport. “Drugs and Doping in Sport: Guidelines for General Practitioners” is published today, February 2, and can be viewed on the ICGP and Irish Sports Council’s websites.
Dr Una May, Manager of the Irish Sport Anti Doping Programme, said “This initiative is the start of a strong collaboration between the Council and ICGP which recognises the critical role to be played by GPs in the fight against doping in sport. It is imperative that the best possible information is available to doctors who may have to prescribe for athletes”.
The Guide contains all the most up to date information on doping that any medical professional might need. Reference is made to the 2006 WADA list of prohibited substances which came into effect on January 1st this year. As all sporting bodies are now signed up to the WADA Code, the same “list” applies across all sports in all events, national and international.
Mr Fionan O'Cuinneagain of the Irish College of General Practitioners explained his motivation for preparing the Guide: “GPs are often at the frontline of an athletes’ call for help when they develop injury or illness before a major sports event. In their treatment, doctors now have to bear in mind that if they prescribe medication, it may influence a future drug test”.
In a new edition of Drugs and Doping in Sport - Guidelines for General Practitioners, author Dr Aidan O’Colmain outlines the issues involved for GPs, which are also of relevance for team doctors. Up-to-date sources are vital and doctors need to know where to turn to for speedy advice and information.
The author of the guide Dr Aidan O’Colmain added: “Doctors dealing with athletes who have chronic medical conditions need to know the correct procedures to employ to notify medications that an athlete is taking. Athletes who take supplements and herbal products are at risk when such products that are not licensed”.
Irish Sport Anti-Doping Programme Working with WADA at Major International Events
Dr Una May and Siobhan Leonard to represent Ireland at major games
Dr Una May, Programme Manager of the Irish Sport Anti-Doping Programme, will be vice-chairperson of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Independent Observer Team at the Winter Olympics in Turin from February 10 to 26. The WADA Team will be led by Dr Andrew Pipe, Chair Emeritus and Medical Science Adviser to the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.
Dr May was on the WADA Independent Observer (IO) Team at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and was Chairperson of the WADA IO Team at the 2005 IAAF World Championships in Helsinki.
The WADA Independent Observers randomly monitor and report on all phases of the doping control and results management processes at major games with a view to enhancing athlete and public confidence in the anti-doping system.
WADA also uses the opportunity of major events to educate athletes and support personnel about dangers and consequences of doping. The education activities, known as the Outreach Programme, provides information directly to athletes at accessible sites at major events.
Siobhan Leonard of the Irish Sport Council has been selected as part of the WADA Outreach Programme Team for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne from March 15 to 26, 2006.
Dr May “It is an honour to work with the WADA Independent Observer Team as the work is essential to ensuring best practice in anti-doping at all major international events. The invitations to Siobhan Leonard and myself to participate in important WADA programmes is recognition of the standing of the Irish programme in the world of sport
World Anti-Doping Agency Changes to Prohibited List.
The Irish Sports Council complies with the World Anti-Doping Code. All sporting bodies are now signed up to the WADA Code, with WADA list of prohibited substances standard across all sports in all events, national and international.
WADA carries out ongoing reviews of the Prohibited List with changes made on the recommendation of the Medical and Research Committees. The recommendations are based on a comprehensive consultation process, including ongoing dialogue with the Irish Sports Council. A substance or method is added to the List if it meets two of three criteria: it is performance enhancing, poses a danger to athletes’ health, and its use is against the spirit of sport.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) new Prohibited List of Substances and Methods came into effect on 1 January 2006.
The new list is available at www.irishsportscouncil.ie and at the other key information source, www. eirpharm.ie
Changes to the List of note to prescribers:
Gonadotrophins (hCG and LH) will now just be prohibited in men-only. Men wishing to use such products will be required to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
Topical glucorticosteroid preparations to treat aural/otic, nasal, buccal cavity and ophthalmic ailments no longer require a TUE, due to their “wide medical use and the absence of doping potential for these routes of administration.”
The January 2006 edition of MIMS has been updated to include all changes. Prescribers should ensure that they are using the most recent edition of MIMS Ireland.
The Irish Sports Council has also updated the athlete’s wallet card in accordance with the 2006 Prohibited List. They are available from the Anti-Doping Unit of the Council.
Since August 2005, both the abbreviated and standard Therapeutic Use Exemption forms have been adapted to a more user-friendly format. The new forms are available from their www.irishsportscouncil.ie and from the Anti-Doping Unit. Please contact 01 8608818 for further details.
Further Information on any of the above information is available form
Paul McDermott Irish Sports Council 01-8608802
087-6486295
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