Checking your medication
Many medications available for common medical conditions, such as asthma or hayfever, may contain prohibited substances. You need to be aware that these are readily available in products prescribed by your doctor or bought over the counter in a pharmacy.
The advice from UK Anti-Doping is simple - check every single substance or medication before you use it, even if you have used it before. It is also important to remember that medications bought abroad may contain different substances than those in the UK and you should always check before you take them.
Global Drug Reference Online
Global Drug Reference Online (Global DRO) provides a quick and easy means by which athletes and support personnel can check the status of medications based on the current World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List. The system has the ability to check the status of branded medications and individual active ingredients as well as providing every search with a unique reference number.
Global Drug Reference Online: www.globaldro.co.uk
Athletes and athlete support personnel are also reminded that there are other ways to check the status of medications:
Drug Information Telephone Line: +44 (0) 800 528 0004
Drug Information Email: drug-free@ukad.org.uk
Travelling Abroad and Checking Medication
Athletes planning to travel abroad should ensure they adhere to the following advice.
- Take enough medication to continue any treatment for the duration of the trip
- Check the status of all products before you travel
- Check the medication is permitted in the country of travel and whether it is permitted to bring through customs
- Carry the UK Anti-Doping advice card
Any products purchased overseas should be carefully checked. The ingredients in common medications can and do contain different substances to those available in the UK.
Some countries have different customs laws that may prohibit the import of certain substances into a particular country. Athletes carrying a prohibited substance for a legitimate medical condition, should carry the following documents at all times:
- The prescription from the prescribing doctor including the name of the substance, the dose and the frequency of use
- The Therapeutic Use Exemption Certificate to demonstrate that an authorised anti-doping organisation has permitted the use of a prohibited substance for medical purposes
