New guide on banned substances launched

A new pharmaceutical guide has been launched today to ensure doctors don't prescribe banned substances to athletes.

Through the use of symbols in MIMS, their pharmaceutical guide, doctors will instantly know the status of medications in sport and can prescribe with complete confidence to athlete patients.

The Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism John O'Donoghue launched the initiative in Dublin today to a gathering that included prominent doctors involved in sport.

"This initiative will make a significant contribution to the Anti-Doping Programme," said Minister O'Donoghue.

"It will give greater confidence to athletes and doctors through the provision of quality information and eliminate the possibility of error in medical consultations," he added.

Ireland is the first country in Europe to provide the information in this way.

Pat O'Neill, Chairperson of the Irish Sports Council, commented: "We are proud to be at the forefront of developments in anti-doping and are committed to providing a world-class programme for the benefit of Irish sport".

The information available in MIMS Ireland is a significant breakthrough in the provision of quality information to medical professionals.

The Irish Sports Council is responding to a demand from doctors, many of whom work in

sport in a voluntary capacity, to make available information on drugs in sport. It complements the information already available through the information campaigns of the Irish Sports Council.

Dr Conor O'Brien, Chair of the Anti-Doping Committee: "This new resource addresses the needs of doctors involved in sport. It will facilitate their dealings with sportspeople and will encourage their involvement in sport".