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FOR USE AS DESIRED NFL BANS EPHEDRINE AND OTHER HIGH-RISK STIMULANTS
The NFL notified its clubs today that the league’s prohibition on the use of anabolic steroids and related substances has been strengthened to include supplements containing ephedrine and other high-risk stimulants. These substances present significant health issues for athletes and others engaged in strenuous physical activity, the NFL said. In a memo to NFL teams, Commissioner PAUL TAGLIABUE said that, effective immediately, the use or distribution by players or teams of products containing ephedrine or similar substances is prohibited. He said the additional policies and procedures were based on consultation with both internal and external specialists and the NFL Players Association. Testing and discipline for violations of the expanded policy will begin following further discussion internally and with the NFLPA, Commissioner Tagliabue said. “This strengthening of our policy responds to the recent introduction of new substances, as well as new evidence addressing the risks associated with certain products already on the market,” Commissioner Tagliabue said. The strengthened policy includes three key provisions: 1. The use or distribution of products containing the following high-risk stimulants is prohibited: · Ephedrine alkaloids, including ephedra and ephedrine (also known as Ma Huang, Bishop’s Tea, and Chi Powder), methylephedrine, norephedrine (also known as phenylpropanolamine), pseudoephedrine, and norpseudoephedrine · Phentermine · Fenfluramine/dexfenfluramine Club employees are prohibited from distributing to players, or having on club premises, any product containing these substances. Players are prohibited from using such substances unless prescribed for medical use by a team physician. 2. NFL clubs and players are prohibited from participation in any unauthorized endorsement arrangements with supplement manufacturers or distributors. Approval will not be granted for an endorsement involving any company that produces or markets a product containing a substance that is on the NFL’s banned list. Players or teams that have an existing arrangement with a supplement manufacturer or distributor must take immediate steps to determine whether it complies with NFL policy. 3. All clubs must communicate these policies and procedures to all club employees and representatives, including players. Commissioner Tagliabue noted that there has been a dramatic increase in recent years in the production and distribution of products claiming to enhance athletic performance or physical fitness. If they choose, he said, manufacturers can market so-called “dietary supplements” without any prior governmental review for safety, efficacy or purity. In other words, there is no way to be certain that these types of products are safe and effective or that they contain the exact ingredients listed on their labels, the Commissioner said. Some of these products, he added, contain prohibited substances and present significant health risks to athletes. “One example is the proliferation of products containing ephedrine,” Commissioner Tagliabue said. “This stimulant, which is often found in products advertised for weight loss and enhanced energy, has become increasingly popular among both professional and amateur athletes. Last December, players and clubs were alerted to the risks of ephedrine in a notice from DR. JOHN LOMBARDO—NFL Advisor on Anabolic Steroids. He advised that, particularly with regard to athletes, there is growing evidence linking ephedrine to fatal heart rhythm difficulties, strokes, thermo-regulatory problems, seizures and other serious conditions. Organizations such as the NCAA and IOC have already added ephedrine and other stimulants to their banned lists.” Prior to the opening of NFL training camps in July, the NFL and NFL Players Association set up the NFL Dietary Supplement Hotline to provide information to players and teams on these substances and dietary supplements in general. The Hotline makes available to NFL personnel up-to-date information on the ingredients, effects and adverse reactions associated with particular supplements. |