Website clarifies drugs

If ignorance was once a reason for testing positive for an over-the-counter drug, it is becoming less so as an Irish internet site Eirpharm.com now provides information on what athletes can consume without ending up in the dock.

The service, compiled by Irish health professionals, allows athletes to search an extensive range of non-prescription medicines in order to find out if they contain hidden illegal components. Expanded in time for the Olympic games, the key benefit of the service is that regardless of the sport, athletes can make an informed decision on the use of necessary medicines, something that would have saved the likes of Irish long jumper Jonathan Kron and track athlete Marie McMahon (both innocently tested positive) a lot of grief.