What are supplements? Dietary supplements are products taken to supplement a normal diet. Supplements can be vitamins, minerals, herbs, homeopathic remedies or other substances. Athletes and others take supplements to compensate for an inadequate diet, or because they believe they may improve performance.

Are supplements permitted in sport?

Irish athletes are advised that the use of unlicensed supplement products is at your own risk and the Irish Sports Council strongly recommends that they be avoided altogether. Neither the Irish Sports Council nor your National Governing Body can guarantee the status of unlicensed supplement products in sport. This is because supplements are not subject to the same stringent manufacturing, testing and labelling standards as licensed medicinal products. You have no way of guaranteeing what is in the supplement, or if the declaration of ingredients on the label is complete and accurate.

 

Eirpharm is an Irish pharmacy and health website designed specifically for Irish people, specific for Irish medical needs. The purpose of the website is to provide free, Irish-specific, up-to-date, comprehensive information and is designed to support, not replace the relationship between the user and his/her pharmacist and/or medical doctor.

In July 2001 the GAA agreed to begin drug testing of senior inter-county players as part of an agreement with the Irish Sports Council and their policy to co-operate with an international anti-doping campaign.

All players MUST be aware of anti-doping code. To check your medications log on to www.eirpharm.com if you are resident in the South or www.didglobal.com if you are resident in the North. The best source of up to date information on anti-doping can be found on the Irish Sports Council website, www.irishsportscouncil.ie.