Define Sports Pharmacy Taskforce

Details Document

Published on December 6, 2024

Updated on January 19, 2025

Taskforce Timeline - March 2024 to January 2025

Table of Contents

  • Sports Pharmacy Definition

  • Questions and Answers

  • Explanation of Terms Used

  • Taskforce Members & Acknowledgements

  • Timeline and Process

  • Literature Reviewed

Taskforce Members:

Athena Cannon, PharmD.

Jessica Beal-Stahl, PharmD.

Amanda Sowinski, PharmD

Marvin Wilson, PhD

Claire May, FRPharmS FHEA, PGDip, IPresc, IOC-DiS (United Kingdom)

Michael Kessler, MS, PharmD, CEP

Clement Lachat, PharmD Candidate

Somer Helvaci, MPharm, PhD Candidate (Turkey)

Sports Pharmacy Definition

Sports pharmacy is the specialized practice of pharmacy that focuses on the use and education of therapeutic interventions, including, but not limited to, medications and supplements to optimize physical and cognitive performance, maintain sports integrity, and support recovery for athletes and physically active individuals across all demographics. 

Responsibility Statement

Sports pharmacists practice with the highest standards of professionalism and ethics, adhering to relevant laws, regulations, and policies set by appropriate governing bodies. They are integral members of interprofessional teams, focusing on medication optimization and advocating for athlete’s health and wellness.

The U.S. Sports Pharmacy Group (USSPG) is excited to share our National Define Sports Pharmacy Taskforce results. This dedicated team was charged with developing a unifying definition to advance the field of sports pharmacy and solidify its role in the global healthcare landscape.

We proudly present the opportunity for organization endorsements as a leader in sport, pharmacy, and/or medicine. Your organization’s endorsement will strengthen this definition's global impact and unity. When published, organizations that endorse the definition will be recognized as Endorsing Organizations. Please complete the Endorsement Survey below by January 24, 2025.

Revisions Since Published:

  • 1/19/2025 - Remove “athletic” from “optimize athletic performance” and replace with “physical and cognitive”

  • 12/20/2025 - Change “sports governing bodies” to “appropriate governing authorities” 

  • 12/20/2025 - Change “ensure” to “support”

  • 12/20/2025 - Change “interdisciplinary” to “interprofessional”

Questions and Answers

  • A broader definition of sports pharmacy was needed to fully represent all aspects of the pharmacist’s role when working with athletes and physically active individuals across various settings and levels. Current definitions and descriptions often limit the pharmacist's scope to working with athletes governed by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards, excluding those who participate in sports outside a high-level competitive capacity, enjoy recreationally, or are held to different regulatory standards. Additionally, other definitions may not identify sports pharmacy as a specialized field requiring sports pharmacy-specific knowledge. 

    Moreover, existing definitions emphasize the pharmacist's clinical duties in competitive sports but do not adequately capture the role’s specialized knowledge base or its interprofessional and non-clinical applications. Sports pharmacists work in diverse settings - in the community, hospitals, clinics, and directly within sports teams - where they bring expertise in areas like injury prevention, recovery, and the safe use of supplements. A more inclusive definition would highlight sports pharmacy as a specialized field, reflecting its distinct contributions to holistic athlete care and promoting the pharmacist’s role in optimizing performance, supporting recovery, and ensuring safe medication use across all types of physical activity.

  • This definition is intended to be broad and accessible, crafted to clearly communicate to both pharmacists and non-pharmacists the unique aspects of the pharmacist’s scope when working with athletes or physically active individuals across all demographics, including elite, professional, collegiate, recreational, or grade school levels. By encompassing a wide range of athletic involvement, the definition emphasizes pharmacists' specialized role in supporting the health, performance, and recovery of individuals engaged in physical activity, regardless of competitive status or age.

  • This definition is not a comprehensive list of every responsibility or duty a sports pharmacist may have across various practice settings within sports pharmacy. Nor is it intended to limit the pharmacist’s core responsibilities or duties as outlined by their accrediting organization. Instead, it serves as a guiding framework, highlighting the specialized role of a sports pharmacist without confining the breadth of potential contributions or core professional duties.

  • Organizations referencing the definition should attribute it to USSPG and link to or cite the original source when possible. Referencing the definition accurately helps maintain consistency across the field and promotes an understanding of the specialized role of sports pharmacists. Additionally, organizations may consider briefly explaining USSPG's mission to highlight the authority and expertise behind the definition.

  • This definition was created to encompass the broad scope of sports pharmacy within the United States. It was also reviewed and refined with guidance from international Taskforce members. The collaborative process ensured that the language and terminology were applicable and understandable worldwide. As a result, it is designed to be relevant and adaptable by sports pharmacy professionals internationally.

Explanation of Terms

The Taskforce chose specific terms to use in the definition, including:

Specialized

Focused area within pharmacy practice requiring additional expertise and training specific to athletes' needs

Supplements

Including vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other botanicals - designed to complement or enhance the diet by providing nutrients or other beneficial compounds that may not be consumed in sufficient quantities through food alone. As defined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), supplements differ from conventional foods and are intended to support specific nutritional needs, promote overall health, or address nutrient deficiencies.

Interprofessional

Refers to a collaborative approach where professionals from various specialties work together while integrating their unique expertise to optimize athlete care.

Appropriate Governing Bodies

This captures regulations set forth by various organizations, including state Boards of Pharmacy, national governing bodies, anti-doping organizations, sports organizations, etc.

Medications

Legend or prescription therapeutic substances

Therapeutic Interventions

Pharmacological or non-pharmacological (sleep hygiene, cold therapy, digital therapeutics, pharmacogenomics, etc.) interventions within the pharmacist's legal scope of practice. Pharmacological interventions include substances that don’t fit into the medications or supplement classes but may be used for overall health, performance, or recovery purposes, such as caffeine, nicotine, homeopathy, etc.

Physically Active Individuals

People who engage in regular physical movement that enhances or maintains health, fitness, or performance. This includes individuals participating in recreational activities, structured exercise, competitive sports, or occupational tasks requiring physical exertion.

Define Sports Pharmacy Taskforce Members

  • Athena Cannon, PharmD

    Athena is an ambulatory care pharmacist working at the Indian Health Board Medical Clinic in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a consultant with Drug Free Sport International, and the founding Chair of the U.S. Sports Pharmacy Group. She completed her Doctor of Pharmacy at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy and the Pharmaceutical Care Leadership Residency with the University of Minnesota. She has served as an expert in the field of sports pharmacy through research, lecturing, consulting, and committee work.

  • Jessica Beal-Stahl, PharmD

    Jess is a sports pharmacist specializing in optimizing athlete health and performance, focusing on female athletes. She is a consultant through her company, The Athlete's Pharmacist. She serves as Director of Clinical Services at Hobbs Pharmacy, drawing on her long-standing experience as an independent community pharmacist. A former D-1 volleyball player and international-level Olympic weightlifter, Jessica continues to advocate for athletes through advisory roles with Who We Play For, USSPG, and the Sports Rx Network. She is passionate about advancing clean sports and integrating pharmacists into interprofessional athlete care teams.

  • Amanda Sowinski, PharmD

    Amanda is a PGY-1 pharmacy resident at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center in Plainsboro, New Jersey, a freelancer for Lumanity, and a past 2023-2024 Student Member at Large for the U.S. Sports Pharmacy Group. She completed her Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences and Doctor of Pharmacy at Rutgers University, the State University of New Jersey. She has worked on sports pharmacy initiatives and projects in independent supplement testing companies, corticosteroid use, and eSports.

  • Marvin Wilson, PhD

    Dr. Wilson earned his B.S. in Pharmacy from West Virginia University and a Ph.D. in Behavioral Pharmacology from the University of Michigan Medical School. After a research associate role at the University of Chicago, he joined the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy in 1970, where his 47-year career included teaching pharmacology and pioneering research on amphetamines and androgens in non-human primates. In 1994, he became Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, later returning to teach a course on drugs and human performance. His expertise culminated as the senior author of Sports Pharmacy: Performance Enhancing Drugs and the Athlete.

  • Claire May FRPharmS FHEA, PGDip, IPresc IOC-DiS

    Claire is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Brighton. She has a passion for and expertise in sports pharmacy and has undertaken extensive training. She has supported delivering pharmaceutical services at major sporting events such as the Olympics/Paralympics, Commonwealth Games, and Professional Golf.

  • Michael Kessler, MS, PharmD, CEP

    Michael is an accomplished healthcare professional with expertise in pharmacy, clinical exercise physiology, and health coaching. He is the Sports Pharmacist for the University of Southern California Department of Athletic Medicine, where he manages athlete vitamin D and iron supplementation, educates staff and athletes on WADA and NCAA prohibited lists, assists with and prepares medical exemptions, and provides consultations on medication and supplement effect on performance. He is a certified clinical exercise physiologist through the American College of Sports Medicine. He completed his master’s degree in exercise science from California State University Long Beach and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Southern California.

  • Clement Lachat, PharmD Candidate

    Clement is a PharmD candidate at LECOM and is pursuing a Master’s in Medical Health and Services Administration. He holds a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Sciences from the University of South Florida. Passionate about healthcare and athletics, Clement dedicates himself to the pool as a skilled swim coach, helping athletes develop discipline and achieve their goals. His combined academic and coaching experiences reflect his commitment to positively impacting both the healthcare field and the lives of others.

  • Somer Helvaci MPharm, PhD Candidate

    Somer is an entrepreneur in the pharmacy sector, a sports pharmacy lecturer, an athlete consultant, and a pharmacy student mentor. He has had several experiences in pharmacy, in addition to sports pharmacy, such as digital solutions for pharmaceutical developments and management skills for a community pharmacy. Somer founded the International Sports Pharmacy Symposium and was a volunteer pharmacist for the Paris Paralympic Games.

Acknowledgements:

The Taskforce would like to acknowledge the following individuals for providing feedback throughout the creation of the Sports Pharmacy definition: USSPG Board of Directors, Ashley Anderson, Robin Mullen, Adrian MacKenzie, Rhys Llewellyn, Henry Mckinner, Mark Stuart, Todd Sorenson, James Smith, Mary Klein, Norman Tomaka, Kevin Walker, and Emily Shears.

Timeline and Process

USSPG Define Sports Pharmacy Timeline

2023-2024 - During this period, it became evident across committees and members that the existing understanding of sports pharmacy lacked the breadth needed to encompass its specialized scope.

Aug 2024 - With USSPG members spanning 34 states in the US and 12 countries, a Taskforce was formed through an application process. Members were selected to represent diverse backgrounds, ensuring various perspectives, various practice settings to reflect the diversity of sports pharmacist roles, and both national and international representation. 

Aug-Sep 2024 -  One hundred twenty-three member definitions of sports pharmacy and 20 articles from across the globe were reviewed (see below). The member definitions and articles identified the following eight themes and subthemes. Themes and subthemes were used to help guide the definition and ensure it comprehensively addressed each aspect. 

  • Medication management and therapy

  • Performance, wellness, and athlete care

  • Anti-doping and clean sport

  • Collaboration with healthcare teams

  • Athlete centered care

  • Education and knowledge expansion

  • Safety and regulatory compliance

  • Other

Sept-Nov 2024 - Drafts of the proposed definition were shared with various stakeholders, including the USSPG Board of Directors, pharmacists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals. To ensure the definition was robust, comprehensive, and reflective of real-world practice, the feedback process involved:

  • Three iterative rounds of review: Incorporating diverse insights and refining the language for clarity and precision.

  • Multidisciplinary perspectives: Leveraging the expertise of various healthcare disciplines to create a definition that aligns with the needs of athletes and healthcare teams.

This collaborative approach ensured the final definition was accurate and universally applicable within the field of sports pharmacy.

Dec 2024 - Following extensive feedback and refinement, the finalized definition, supported by the USSPG Board of Directors, was submitted to the broader membership and key stakeholders for review and endorsement. 

Literature Reviewed

  1. Jawad A. The role of sports pharmacy in anti-doping. Versapak Anti-Doping Blog. Published online 2021. Available at: https://versapak-anti-doping.com/ali-jawad-blog-9-the-role-of-sports-pharmacy-in-anti-doping/

  2. American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. A compelling case for sports pharmacy. https://www.aacp.org/article/compelling-case-sports-pharmacy

  3. Awaisu A, Mottram D, Rahhal A, Alemrayat B, Ahmed A, Stuart M, Khalifa S. Knowledge and Perceptions of Pharmacy Students in Qatar on Anti-Doping in Sports and on Sports Pharmacy in Undergraduate Curricula. Am J Pharm Educ. 2015 Oct 25;79(8):119. doi: 10.5688/ajpe798119. PMID: 26689844; PMCID: PMC4678744.

  4. Mottram DR, Chester N. The emerging specialty of sports pharmacy. Aspetar Sports Med J. 2013;2(1):54-57. Available at: https://journal.aspetar.com/en/journals/volume-2-issue-1/the-emerging-speciality-of-sports-pharmacy.

  5. Ambrose PJ. Doping control in sports--a perspective from the 1996 Olympic Games. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 1997 May 1;54(9):1053-7. doi: 10.1093/ajhp/54.9.1053. PMID: 9143653.

  6. Bomfim JHGG. Pharmaceutical Care in Sports. Pharmacy (Basel). 2020 Nov 16;8(4):218. doi: 10.3390/pharmacy8040218. PMID: 33207610; PMCID: PMC7712766.

  7. Ambrose PJ. Drug use in sports: a veritable arena for pharmacists. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2004 Jul-Aug;44(4):501-14; quiz 514-6. doi: 10.1331/1544345041475698. PMID: 15372871.

  8. Anderson A. International Sports Pharmacists Network. www.sportspharmacists.org 

  9. International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). Sports pharmacy practice and education: a global overview. Published September 2019. https://www.fip.org/file/5391

  10. International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP). FIP Statement of Policy: The Role of the Pharmacist in Doping Control. Published online 2014. Available at: https://www.fip.org/file/5391.

  11. Mottram DR, Chester N. Sports pharmacy practice and education: a global overview. Res Brighton. Published online 2021. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2020.12.004.

  12. Japan Anti-Doping Agency. Play True 2020. Sports Pharmacist. Available at: https://playtrue2020-sp4t.jp/jp/static/sportspharmacist/.

  13. Overstreet-Price, K, Huff, P,  Isetts, B, Goldwire, MA, University-based sports pharmacy program, American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, Volume 52, Issue 3, 1 February 1995, Pages 302–309, https://doi.org/10.1093/ajhp/52.3.302

  14. International Society for Pharmaceutical Health Outcomes (ISPharma). ISPharma Official Website. Available at: https://ispharma.org/en/index.html.

  15. Khan, Nida & Noushad, Shamoon & Ahmed, Sadaf. (2018). Sports Pharmacy as an Emerging Health Science Field; a Perspective on the Global and National Scope. International Journal of Endorsing Health Science Research (IJEHSR) (IJEHSR). 6. 58. 10.29052/IJEHSR.v6.i1.2018.58-61. 

  16. Ambrose PJ. An advanced pharmacy practice experience in sports pharmacy. Am J Pharm Educ. 2008 Feb 15;72(1):19. doi: 10.5688/aj720119. PMID: 18322580; PMCID: PMC2254248.

  17. Kim H, Kim E. Development of a pharmacist competency framework in Korea. Korean J Clin Pharm. 2021;31(1):12-20. doi:10.24304/kjcp.2021.31.1.12

  18. Dabrowska N, Malmberg L, Nejati H, Volle CB, Røssing Witzø M, Yaman H, Gazerani P. Competence in Sports Pharmacy among Pharmacy Students in Norway. Pharmacy. 2024; 12(1):3. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy12010003

  19. Hooper AD, Cooper JM, Schneider J, Kairuz T. Current and Potential Roles in Sports Pharmacy: A Systematic Review. Pharmacy. 2019; 7(1):29. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy7010029

  20. Mottram D, Chester N, eds. Drugs in Sport. 7th ed. London: Routledge; 2018. doi:10.4324/9781315222790.