Drugs and the athlete : what is the price for winning at any cost?

Abstract

Man has always sought to go faster, higher, quicker and has embarked on all kinds of means in order to achieve these aims. The first use of performance enhancing compounds can be traced back to the ancient Olympic Games, but the first list of banned ergogenic aids was only issued in 1967. Yet athletes are still being found positive. They should be educated that these drugs are not only on the list because they are illegal means of achieving results, but all of them have side effects which can lead to severe short-term and long-term health problems for athletes. Drug doping in Maltese sports could become a major ethical, educational, financial, and health management problem. Community pharmacists have an important role to play in advising athletes, sportsmen and women about which drugs or OTCs can or cannot be taken during sports events.