Descriptive Cross-Sectional Assessment of Pharmacists’ Knowledge and Involvement in Sports Anti-Doping Initiatives in Albayda City, Libya
الكلمات المفتاحية:
Doping in Sports; Anti-Doping Education; Pharmacist Role in Sportsالملخص
The worldwide abuse of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) continues to be a significant issue, with incidents of doping rising
consistently, as stated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). A significant proportion of unintentional doping incidents
arises from athletes’ limited awareness regarding the substances they consume. Although athletes hold the main responsibility
for the substances they take, healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists, are crucial in reducing the chances of accidental
doping. The purpose of this study is to assess the pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding doping and
anti-doping practices. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 200 pharmacists in Albayda, Libya. Data
were collected using a structured 15-item questionnaire designed to assess pharmacists’ understanding and perspectives on
doping. Our findings revealed that only 7% of pharmacists were familiar with the term “doping,” and a mere 1% had previously
attended any formal training or lectures on the topic. Nevertheless, a significant majority (89%) concurred that utilizing banned
substances in sports is both unethical and unjust. The awareness regarding the potential presence of prohibited substances
in over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements was limited to 22%. Additionally, merely 1% of the participants
recognized the International Pharmaceutical Federation’s (FIP) official position concerning the involvement of pharmacists in
anti-doping efforts. On a positive note, 90% of the respondents indicated a strong desire to undergo formal training in the area
of anti-doping, while 75% favored the development of sports pharmacy as a specialized discipline. These findings highlight a
critical need for improved anti-doping education within pharmacy training programs to properly equip future pharmacists for
their responsibilities in promoting clean and ethical sports.
