Descriptive Cross-Sectional Assessment of Pharmacists' Knowledge and Involvement in Anti-Doping Initiatives in Sports in Albayda, Libya

Abstract

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) reports that doping cases are continuously rising and the misuse of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) continues to be a significant issue globally. A large percentage of unintentional doping incidents are caused by athletes' ignorance of the substances they use. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, are crucial in reducing the possibility of accidental doping, even though athletes are ultimately accountable for the substances they take. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions on doping and anti-doping in sports. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 200 pharmacists in Albayda, Libya. A standardized 15-item questionnaire was used to collect data in order to evaluate pharmacists' knowledge and opinions regarding doping and anti-doping. Our findings revealed that only 7% of pharmacists were familiar with the term "doping," and a mere 1% had previously attended any formal trainings 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 (OTC) 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 participants 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.