Athletes must control their asthma

The Asthma Foundation of SA urges professional athletes who have asthma to seek exemption from National Sporting Organisations so they can use their medicines and keep control of their asthma.

Chief Executive David Bedson explains, “Recent reports in the media mention that asthma medications are prohibited by anti-doping authorities. What athletes need to know is that they can request an exemption to use these medications by submitting an Abbreviated Therapeutic Use Exemption request to National Sporting Organisations.”

The Asthma Management Handbook endorsed by The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners states:

“Many sporting bodies require objective evidence of exercise-induced asthma/ exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in order for athletes to use asthma medications during competition.

• The International Olympic Committee now requires documentation of asthma or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction as a prerequisite for permission to use an inhaled beta2 agonist… 
• The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority provides information about Therapeutic Use Exemptions for athletes who suffer from medical conditions requiring treatment with prohibited substances.” (National Asthma Council, 2006, page 97)

Grant Kardachi, a member of the Foundation’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee and President of the Pharmaceutical Society of South Australia explains, “We are concerned that reports about prohibition of asthma medicines by anti-doping authorities may confuse the public. Effective and correct use of these medicines as detailed by GPs in individual Asthma Action Plans, are the key to good asthma control.”

The Foundation reminds all South Australians with asthma that anyone who needs to use their blue reliever puffer more than three times a week, has poorly controlled asthma. Chief Executive David Bedson said, “We urge everyone with asthma to ensure their Asthma Action Plans are up to date, athletes and non-athletes alike.”

(Source: Asthma Management Handbook: Asthma Foundation of SA: July 2008)