Clinical Pharmacy Services at the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Sports Pharmacist Training Program

Abstract

Previous studies published on past Olympic and Paralympic Games have reported the role of pharmacists within different disciplines of healthcare services; however, emphasis on their clinical pharmacy services was limited. Furthermore, only a few studies have addressed pharmacists' involvement in sports, with the majority focusing on the organizational and managerial aspects of pharmacies. Sports and other pharmacists are well‐positioned to advise athletes and other healthcare professionals on how to promote and maintain health. Pharmacists should be properly trained in sports medicine. To illustrate this point, this review analyzes pharmacy services at polyclinics and medical stations in the athletes' villages at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and shares examples of clinical interventions performed by pharmacists. This review also examines the level of satisfaction with their work and educational programs prior to the games. These results show that despite coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19)‐related complications in the Tokyo 2020 Games, pharmacists appropriately managed infection control, provided anti‐doping‐based pharmacy services, and implemented clinical interventions. As one of intervention results, 268 inquiries from pharmacists to physicians regarding prescriptions were recorded. Among the most common inquiries regarding prescriptions 89 resulted in changes in quantity and 76 resulted in changes in usage. Simultaneously, the questionnaire administered to the volunteer pharmacists showed a high level of satisfaction with their participation as healthcare professionals and with the pre‐Game training, as well as with their gained knowledge. Furthermore, the need for further extensive training related to rules specific to the Olympic and Paralympic Games was identified. We hope that this review will be useful to future pharmacists pursuing expertise in sports.

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