Pharmacology
Application in Athletic
Training
Michelle Odai, MS, LAT, ATC, CSCS
Florida International University
Chapter 1 –
Historical and Legal Issues
History of Drugs and
Pharmacy
 The origins of drugs and medicine can be
traced back to ancient civilizations
 2100 BC – physicians and priests
recorded references to drug therapy on
clay tablets
 Timeline history of the development of
pharmacy – pg 5
Legal Foundations
 Early 20th century – no laws existed to
control the sale of medications, the purity
of drug preparations, or the efficacy of
medical devices
 1906 – Pure Food and Drug Act
 1938 – Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
 1952 – Durham-Humphrey Amendment
 1962 – Kefauver-Harris Amendment
 1970 – Poison Prevention Packaging Act
 1984 – Anti-Tampering Act
 1970 – Comprehensive Drug Abuse
Prevention and Control Act
 Scheduled Drugs
United States Food and
Drug Administration
 Created in 1938 to protect public’s health
by ensuring safety, efficacy, and
monitoring of products
 Regulates drug manufacturing and
labeling processes; monitor adverse
reactions
 Approval process takes @ 12 years
 Fast-track approval
Over-the-Counter Products
 FDA must approve ingredients and label
information
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Name of product
Name and address of manufacturer
List of active and inactive ingredients
Quantity of contents
Name of any habit-forming components
Warnings and precautions for the user
Adequate directions for use
Naming of a Drug
 Typically identified by
 Chemical name
 Generic name, or
 Brand name
Generic and Brand Name
Drug Ingredients
 Must have same active ingredients and
must be identical in strength and dosage
form
 Brand-name drugs patented for 17 years
 FDA recommends and all states allow
pharmacists to dispense generic
equivalent of brand-name drug
Medical Abbreviations
 Used to denote frequency, amount, and
weight
 Table 1-3, pg 10
Drug Information
Pharmacists
 Trained in defining, monitoring, and modifying
drug treatment
 Understand use, doses, drug and food
interactions, contraindications, and other
aspects of drug agents
 PharmD – 6 yrs, national certification exam
 State licensure
 Various settings
Drug Information
Poison Control Centers
 50 states, 24/7, free
 Assess and treat poisonings and poison
prevention
 All calls concerning humans and animals
 Insect, snake bites, ingestion of substances,
identification of drug tablets and capsules,
hazardous material spills
 Employ nurses, pharmacists, physicians
 PCS should be called if someone has
ingested, touched, or been bitten by
something you think is poisonous or toxic
 Caller should provide as much
information as possible
 National hotline, directory assistance
Drug Information
Reference Books
 Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR)
 Produced by pharmaceutical industry and
provides detailed descriptions of drugs
 Photos of 1000 drug products to assist in
identification
 Updated annually, easily accessible
Pharmacy in Athletic
Training
 State and federal laws that govern controlled
substances
 AT should be aware of laws that pertain to
them
 All controlled substances found in ATR must
have complete and accurate written inventory
 Team physician is ultimately responsible for
dispensing controlled substances
To avoid legal liability the ATC must
document information about each drug
administered
 Name of
athlete/patient
 Sport
 Age
 Name of drug
 Dose given
 Quantity
prescribed
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Indication
Manufacturer
Lot number
Drug expiration date
Name of person
dispensing drug
 Date drug is given
 Single-dose packages
 Assisting athlete with drug administration
process
 All meds should be kept in locked offices
and/or storage cabinets
 Failure to follow guidelines can
predispose athletic trainers to undue
legal liability
Important Information
 Implications for Athletic Trainers (pg 13)
 What to Tell the Athlete (pg 13)