Doping crisis grows, doctors told to be careful while prescribing | India News
New Delhi: Used syringes found in stadium washroom. Athletes fail doping tests. And now, doctors are being asked to check what they write.With the rise in doping in sports, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has asked doctors, hospitals and medical colleges across the country to be vigilant while treating athletes. The concern is that banned substances can enter sports not only through deliberate cheating, but also through contaminated supplements and even regular prescriptions.In a recent public notice, the NMC – identifying the rising doping cases in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports – asked doctors to familiarize themselves with the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list and ensure that drugs containing banned substances are prescribed only when medically necessary and properly recorded.Medical colleges and institutions are asked to sensitize faculty and practitioners about anti-doping regulations, especially when treating athletes, and to promote responsible prescribing practices. The NMC recommends integrating basic anti-doping awareness with graduate medical education and continuing professional development programs wherever possible.The move follows a series of positive tests this year. Seven Indian athletes were suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency in 2025. On January 5, Uttarakhand cricketer Rajan Kumar tested positive for three banned substances.At several national and state meets, toilets have been found to contain dirt on used syringes, indicating organized abuse of performance-enhancing drugs. The situation has become serious enough for Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to order the authorities to take action.The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has warned that many doping cases are not always intentional. Athletes sometimes take mislabeled or contaminated supplements. Others may unknowingly take prescription drugs that are banned under global anti-doping rules.A sports medicine expert says, “Many general practitioners may not always be updated on the frequent changes to the WADA banned list. A drug that is routine for the general public – certain painkillers, steroids or even cough syrup – may test positive for an athlete. The responsibility is on both sides. Athletes must inform doctors that they are subject to dope testing and doctors must verify that a prescribed drug is approved. If a prohibited drug is medically necessary, it should be supported by a therapeutic use exemption.”Officials have expressed concern about imported supplements and products sold online that may contain banned substances. The ministry has called for stronger coordination with regulators such as the Central Drug Standards Control Organization and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to tighten surveillance.The message is clear: fighting doping is no longer just about catching athletes. It now involves doctors, pharmacists, supplement sellers and regulators – all of whom play a role in keeping the sport clean.
