Analysis of Anti-Doping Consultation Activities among Domestic Japanese Athletes

Abstract

Objective: We conducted a survey on the anti-doping consultation data among domestic athletes, including the number of monthly consultations, the fields targeted for consultation, and proportion (%) of consultations for medications that should be avoided or prohibited, in order to address relevant issues.
Methods: Data collected from the domestic athletes' anti-doping consultations with the pharmaceutical consultation committee of the Shiga Pharmaceutical Association in 2012 were analyzed.
Results: Most consultations occurred in March.　Most (80%) of the consultations conducted within a year were sought by teams from schools, clubs, and competition associations, whereas 16% were sought by individual athletes.　The remaining 4% were sought by medical institutions.　The percentage of consulted ethical medications was unexpectedly high at 69%, while that of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs was 26% and that of "others," which comprised dietary and health supplements, was 5%.　Among the medications consulted for, 25% were classified as "should avoid" and "prohibited" because of violations of the anti-doping code.　Among the ingredients of the substances consulted for, most (75%) were classified as "others," followed by OTC drugs (38%) and ethical medicines (15%).
Conclusions: As the training environment greatly differs between domestic and international athletes, so should be the anti-doping activities.　Thus, anti-doping activities suitable for domestic athletic meets should be promoted.