Examining pharmacists’ anti-doping knowledge and skills in assisting athletes to avoid unintentional use of prohibited substances

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To explore the knowledge and skills of pharmacists practicing in Sydney, Australia, in preventing the use of prohibited medications by athletes. Methods Using a simulated-patient study design, the researcher (an athlete and pharmacy student herself) contacted 100 Sydney pharmacies by telephone requesting advice about taking a salbutamol inhaler (a WADA-prohibited substance with conditional requirements), for exercise-induced asthma, following a set interview protocol. Data were assessed for both clinical and anti-doping advice appropriateness. Key findings Appropriate clinical advice was provided by 66% of pharmacists in the study, appropriate anti-doping advice was provided by 68%, and 52% provided appropriate advice across both aspects. Of the respondents, only 11% provided both clinical and anti-doping advice at a comprehensive level. Identification of accurate resources was made by 47% of pharmacists. Conclusions Whilst most participating pharmacists had the skills to deliver assistance regarding the use of prohibited substances in sports, many lacked core knowledge and resources to enable them to deliver comprehensive care to prevent harm and protect athlete-patients from anti-doping violations. A gap was identified regarding advising/counselling athletes, indicating the need for additional education in sport-related pharmacy. This education would need to be coupled with the incorporation of sport-related pharmacy into current practice guidelines to enable pharmacists to uphold their duty of care and for athletes to benefit from their medicines-related advice.