Anti-doping reference for pharmacists

Abstract

In recent years, appropriate medication and guarantees of safety are being sought not only by medical circles but also by the world of sport. Under normal circumstances, sport should be wholesome in both mind and body, but "doping" by the misuse and abuse of drugs and such is developing into a social issue. This is not just a result of the deliberate behavior of a certain number of people; many cases include use due to a lack of knowledge of drugs and doping, although eventually the sanctions received are the same. Doping tends to be perceived as the problem of just a section of elite athletes, but since the introduction of doping control at the National Athletic Meet 2003, anti-doping measures continue to be a problem close at hand. In 2004, the World Anti-Doping Code came into effect and subsequently not just the world of sport but various national governments became deeply involved with anti-doping. Anti-doping guidelines in Japan were formulated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in 2007, stipulating that doctors and pharmacists should be proactive in anti-doping activities. With the aim of eradicating doping, it was deemed that pharmacists can intervene by providing support regarding such issues as drug enlightenment, consultation; the supply of drug information; database production; and therapeutic use exemption. It can be considered that pharmacists can sufficiently use their knowledge and experience gained in these fields, and that such knowledge could lead to more appropriate drug use in sport. © 2009 The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.