Anti-doping counselling as an unimplemented professional responsibility: a potential paradox in community pharmacy practice
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Under the World Anti-Doping Code, pharmacists are formally recognized as Athlete Support Personnel, yet their role in preventing unintentional doping in routine practice remains poorly understood. This study examined how pharmacists operationalize anti-doping responsibilities when confronted with a real-world counselling scenario involving a conditionally prohibited medication. A simulated-patient telephone study was conducted in July 2024 across 99 randomly selected community pharmacies in Croatia. A trained professional athlete enquired about the permissibility of continued inhaled salbutamol use in international competition. Pharmacists’ responses were assessed for clinical information gathering, accuracy of anti-doping advice, and reliance on referral. Group differences were analysed using χ²/Fisher tests, and exploratory predictors of adequate advice were examined using binary logistic regression. Valid interactions were completed with 80 pharmacies. Only 10% of pharmacists provided fully accurate, comprehensive advice consistent with World Anti-Doping Agency regulations. Most pharmacists failed to elicit clinically relevant patient information (70%) and frequently relied on referral-based responses (57.5%), predominantly directing athletes to physicians (37.0%). Referral was associated with lower odds of adequate advice (OR = 0.2, p = 0.046), while asking patient‑related questioning showed a borderline positive association (OR = 4.9, p = 0.051). This study identifies a critical gap between anti-doping policy and its execution in pharmaceutical care. Although pharmacists are strategically positioned to safeguard athletes from unintentional doping, limited clinical engagement and inconsistent application of regulatory rules constrain their effectiveness. Systematic integration of anti-doping responsibilities into pharmacy education, professional training, and routine practice is essential to reduce preventable doping risk and strengthen athlete support systems.
Source: Harm Reduction Journal
Authors: Mihaela Petričević, Diana Gujinović
Institution: University of Split
Language: English
Topic: Doping in Sports
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,290
OpenAlex ID: W7222829159
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