Letter
from:
Dr. MALCOLM
W BROWN
UK Athletics Medical Officer
Dear Athlete ,
The IAAF published a revised version of its "Procedural Guidelines
for Doping Control" in March 1995.
An important change has been introduced regarding the use of the asthma
inhalers salbutamol (Ventolin) and terbutaline (Bricanyl).
It is now necessary to
obtain prior clearance from the relevant National Federation (UK Athletics) or
the IAAF before these agents can be used.
The IAAF have now added Salmeterol (Serevent) to this list of permitted
inhalers. Permission to use this agent
should be obtained in the same way as for Salbutamol and Terbutaline.
As the treatment of asthma sometimes needs to be initiated as a matter
of some urgency, it may be necessary to start treatment prior to clearance
being obtained. This will be regarded
as acceptable provided the athlete corresponds with the UK Athletics Medical
Officer as soon as possible and certainly within seven days. The athlete should enclose an explanatory
letter from the doctor prescribing the inhaler. Inhalers should never be used unless prescribed. They should never be borrowed from a friend.
Athletes applying for clearance to use these inhalers should write to
Dr. Malcolm W Brown at UK Athletics clearly stating the name of the inhaler,
recommended dose, the name and address of the prescribing doctor and expected
duration of treatment.
The use of corticosteroids by inhaler (e.g. Becotide, Pulmicort) does Not require prior permission but
should, of course, be declared at the time of any doping control.
Yours sincerely
MALCOLM W. BROWN
UK Athletics Medical Officer