News

Drug Information Database launched

Matthew Crawcour - 24/01/2002

The database is simple and easy to use.

UK SPORT today launched what it considers to be the world’s most comprehensive and up-to-date online drug information service for athletes.

The database will allow athletes, coaches, team doctors and other support staff the opportunity check the status of most UK licensed pharmaceutical products or licensed substances according to sport’s anti-doping bible - the Olympic Movement Anti-Doping Code (the list published by the IOC and WADA about what is prohibited in sport).

The database draws on information from 102 sports, contains some 2,100 substances and 4,300 products and is available publicly online, via UK Sport’s website - www.didglobal.com.

Richard Callicott, Chief Executive of UK Sport welcomed the new initiative: "A key part of the fight against the use of drugs in sport revolves around the education of athletes – given that athletes are held to be personally responsible for the presence of whatever substances tests show to be in their systems - and therefore, the more information we can provide to them, the better."

Whilst the aim of the database is to give athletes quick and accurate information about the status of products or substances, UK Sport has advised that athletes should continue to direct queries to their sport’s medical officers and not use the database for advice on which substances are suitable for them.

THE DATABASE provides details of licensed medications and products – it does not list unlicensed products such as supplements, but does remind athletes that UK Sport’s advice is that they should exercise extreme caution when considering taking such a product, or ideally, they should avoid them.

"The new database is straight-forward and easy to use," Callicott added. "All athletes have to do is select their sport and governing body from drop-down lists and then type in the name of the substance – or as much of it as they remember – wait a couple of seconds and then read the results."

The database will be updated monthly to ensure that new products are taken into account as they become available.