Irish Medicines Board and ISC formalise collaboration through Memorandum of Understanding
The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) and the Irish Sports Council (ISC) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will formalise the sharing of information and intelligence in an effort to protect Irish athletes and to combat the illegal use of medicinal products.
In recent years the two state agencies have co-operated and shared intelligence in the area of anti-doping. This Memorandum of Understanding places this relationship on a formal basis and signals that it will have a more prominent role in the general battle against doping in sport.
Intelligence gathering and cross agency cooperation is an increasingly important part of the global battle against doping in sport. The Irish Sports Council works with a variety of agencies in its work. The expertise at the IMB will be of great benefit to the Council in protecting Irish athletes and preventing the misuse of pharmaceutical products in sport.
Professor Brendan Buckley, Chairman of the Anti-Doping Committee of the Irish Sports Council commented: “The two agencies have worked closely over the past number of years and the collaboration has delivered benefits for both. It is appropriate to put that relationship on a more formal standing. The Memorandum signals that the misuse of drugs in sport is not simply a matter for the sports authorities but is a matter taken seriously by the medical community.”
According to Pat O’Mahony, Chief Executive, IMB, “The Memorandum we are signing today will help us to enhance co-operation and information exchange between both our agencies. Our shared goal is to educate Irish athletes on the health risks associated with purchasing medicines online, and the negative impact it could have for their sporting careers. We have frequently highlighted the health risks associated with accessing medicines through the internet or from other unauthorised sources. In 2010 alone, our enforcement officers detained 10,686 units of steroids purchased via the internet. When misused, such products can cause significant damage to health”.
Many of the products purchased on the internet contain undeclared active ingredients which athletes may consume. Unfortunately this puts athletes at risk of failing mandatory anti-doping tests as well as the potential for generating profound negative personal health outcomes.
ENDS
For further information please contact :
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Weber Shandwick PR (01) 676 0168
Michelle Doyle / Orla Molloy 087 904 2223/ 087 770 5108
ABOUT THE IRISH MEDICINES BOARD
The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) is the competent authority for human and veterinary medicines, medical devices, blood, tissues & cells and cosmetics in Ireland. Its role is to protect and enhance public and animal health through the regulation of medicines, medical devices and healthcare products.
ABOUT THE IRISH SPORTS COUNCIL
The Irish Sport Council is the statutory agency for the development of sport in Ireland. It operates the Irish Sport Anti-Doping Programme which combats the use of drugs in sport through testing, education and research.