Illegal Usage of Meldonium

Why in news?

The Anti-Doping Appeal Panel of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) has recently blacklisted two persons related to illegal supply of meldonium.

What is meldonium?

Meldonium is manufactured by the Latvian company Grindeks, and is prescribed for ischemia, a condition in which there is an insufficient flow of blood to tissues, which are then starved of oxygen and glucose.
Meldonium gives those suffering from heart and circulatory conditions more physical capacity and mental function.

What are the concerns with its usage?

Though not approved by the US FDA, the drug has been easily available over the counter in Eastern Europe and Russia.
Since meldonium aids oxygen uptake and endurance, several athletes have been caught using it.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) put it on the list of banned substances in September 2015, and the ban went into effect on January 1, 2016.
However, a number of athletes were using it before it was banned.
Meldonium became famous after tennis superstar Maria Sharapova tested positive for it in 2016.
In 2015, anti-doping group Partnership for Clean Competition said meldonium was found in 182 of 8,300 urine samples it tested as part of a study.
WADA confirmed at the time of the Sharapova scandal that since the ban, meldonium had been found in 55 samples.
A study published in Drug Testing and Analysis in 2015 concluded that the drug demonstrates –

The manufacturing company has said meldonium can provide an improvement of work capacity of healthy people at physical and mental overloads and during rehabilitation period.
However, it believed that the substance would not enhance athletes’ performance in competition, and might even do the opposite.

What is the role of World Anti doping agency here?

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was established in 1999 as an international independent agency composed and funded equally by the sport movement and governments of the world.
Its mission is to lead a collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport.
Its key activities include scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities, and monitoring of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code).
The World Anti-Doping Code is the document that brings consistency to anti-doping rules, regulations and policies worldwide.
Since 2004, and as mandated by World Anti-Doping Code, WADA has published an annual List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List).
The List, which forms one of the six International Standards, identifies the substances and methods prohibited in- and out-of-competition, and in particular sports.
In India, National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) is responsible for promoting, coordinating, and monitoring the doping control programme in sports in all its forms in the country.
The primary objectives are to implement anti-doping rules as per WADA code, regulate dope control programme, to promote education and research and creating awareness about doping and its ill effects.

What is the case with India?

Jagtar, a decathlete, who appeared to give the urine sample at the Federation Cup in Patiala in 2017, has been tested positive for Meldonium.
He was banned for a maximum period of four years for a first-time dope offence.
Recently, his ban was reduced from four years to two, after he provided substantial evidence that helped bust a ring of illegal performance-enhancing drug suppliers.
Jagtar contended that he had consumed the food supplements provided by a regular supplement supplier at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, who is also the husband of a Commonwealth Games participant.
The case lead to the discovery of a very important source of illegal/unlicensed supply of prohibited substance to athletes at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi.
This is because the stadium also serves as a hub of national and international athletic sporting activity in India.
Thus, the Anti-Doping Appeal panel directed NADA to issue appropriate warning to be affixed on notice boards/websites of NADA regarding prohibited substances and the risk of procuring any supplies by the athletes from illegal suppliers.

Source: The Indian Express