Astellas to Help Tackle Doping in Sports

The World Anti-Doping Agency and Astellas Pharma Inc. have announced a global agreement to partner on the prevention of misuse and abuse of medicines for doping in sports.    To support WADA in its efforts to address this issue, Astellas will identify compounds solely developed by Astellas or its affiliates with the potential for sport-related doping abuse and will cooperate in sharing relevant information to aid WADA in the organization's development of detection methods for these compounds. Additionally, Astellas will cooperate with WADA to minimize the risk of misuse of compounds with doping potential during clinical trials to avoid opportunities for abuse.   "It's a win-win arrangement," commented WADA president Sir Craig Reedie. "Astellas will inform WADA during compound development if there is potential for future abuse in sport; and, the Agency commits to inform Astellas should it uncover evidence of black market supply involving their compounds. This partnership acknowledges that the impacts of doping extend well beyond elite athletes to include society on the whole."   WADA was created in 1999 to promote, coordinate and monitor the fight against doping in sport in all its forms. The Agency is composed and funded equally by the sports movement and governments. Its key activities include scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities and monitoring of the World Anti-Doping Code – the first document harmonizing regulations regarding anti-doping in all sports and all countries