Doping agency WADA signs agreement with Pfizer
To share performance-enhancing drug information and develop detection methods
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and Pfizer have signed an agreement that will see the US pharmaceuticals manufacturer share information on pipeline products that could be used as performance-enhancing drugs by athletes.
As part of the agreement, medicines in development will be reviewed by Pfizer scientists to identify substances with a probable or high risk of abuse in sport.
'A central aspect of WADA’s strategy is to collaborate with pharmaceutical companies so that medicinal substances of interest to dopers can be identified,' said WADA Director General, David Howman. 'In turn, this will allow us to develop detection methods at a much faster rate.'
Scientists will look for any similarity to the pharmacological characteristics of existing performance-enhancing substances and assess how they work in the human body.
Any new medicines in Pfizer’s pipeline found to have such characteristics will be highlighted to WADA so that work can begin on detection methods in sports.
