(Ottawa, Ontario – October 18, 2005) – Members of the Canadian sport community who require asthma medication should review the Health Canada advisory issued October 4, 2005, which warns of risks associated with a class of asthma drugs. Health Canada makes a series of recommendations for appropriate use of asthma medication, some pertaining to named products (including Salmeterol, Formoterol, Sevevent, Foradil, Advair, Symbicort and Oxeze). The advisory is available at here.
The CCES was not involved in the study referenced by Health Canada. Any inquiries the sport community might have should be directed to the contacts listed in Health Canada’s advisory.
The CCES reminds athletes that they may require a therapeutic use exemption for asthma medication. Consult the Substance Classification Booklet for detailed instructions.
CCES publications such as the Substance Classification Booklet and the Substance Quick Reference Card list products based on whether or not they are prohibited in sport (following the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List). The listing of a product in these publications is neither a recommendation nor an endorsement of the product; athletes using these products must rely on a doctor’s or pharmacist’s advice about their safety or efficacy.
Further resources:
- Health Canada, Drugs and Health Products
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/index_e.html - CCES 2005 Substance Classification Booklet
/sites/default/files/content/docs/pdf/cces-pub-substanceclassification-e.pdf
The CCES is an independent, national, non-profit organization. Our mission, to promote ethical conduct in all aspects of sport in Canada, is carried out through research, promotion, education, detection and deterrence, as well as through programs and partnerships with other organizations.
For further information, please contact
Sonia Tran, Athlete Services Manager, at (613) 521-3340 x3222.
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