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CATHERINE W GICHUKI
DOHA
With four years to go for first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East in Qatar, the Pharmacy Department at the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is training and preparing its pharmacists in the field of sports pharmacy to help them to be aware of prohibited medications in sports.
According to Executive Director of Pharmacy at HMC Dr Moza al Hail, the pharmacists have been receiving trainings, educational sessions through conferences, workshops and lectures in collaboration with international and national academic organisations.
"To train our staff in sports pharmacy, a four-day workshop covering different aspects of drugs in sports under title 'The role of healthcare providers in the effective and legal use of drugs in sport' was organised and healthcare professionals from several disciplines took part in it," said Dr Hail.
She added,"Currently, the pharmacists have some knowledge on drugs in sports. Sports medicine is becoming quite important now because of the events in Qatar and pharmacists need to know about the medications prohibited by the international body. It is a new area of specialty but it's becoming quite important as sports events in Qatar are increasing and we are preparing for the 2022 FIFA World Cup."
"In the recent conference, we had invited eminent speakers from the UK, who are experts in the field, to provide lectures and training. During the workshop, participants were trained and educated about the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) list of prohibited substances and methods, therapeutics use exemptions TUEs international standards & the role of pharmacists in major sport events. The participants in the training will train the others. They also helped us in developing a course in sports pharmacy, which is now added to the pharmacy curriculum at Qatar University," said Dr Hail.
She added,"Pharmacists are now an integral part of the healthcare team and add a lot of values to the patient care activities. HMC pharmacists, through continuous professional education, have attained sound knowledge and contribute to patient safety. Our pharmacists are actively involved in research and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide excellent patient care.
"In 2017, we have published over 25 peer reviewed articles in several highly reputed international journals. All these add value to the literature."
