What is DID?
DID is a drug information service that will tell you whether a licensed UK product or substance is prohibited or permitted for use in sport. DID can be accessed at anytime and from anywhere in the world by logging on to www.uksport.gov.uk/did. Remember to check your medication carefully before using it, no matter how familiar you are with the product.
What won’t DID tell me?
DID won’t tell athletes about the status of any supplement products. This is because no guarantee can be given about the safety of supplements in sport. These products are not licensed and are not subject to the same strict manufacturing and labelling requirements as licensed medicines. See DID for more information on supplements, including answers to questions commonly asked by athletes.
How do I use DID when searching for a UK product?
Using DID for UK licensed products is easy. Just follow the ten steps below and you’ll have an answer to your question.
1. Log on to www.uksport.gov.uk/did
2. Read the introduction and click on 'Drug Query'
3. Read the terms and conditions carefully and if you accept, click 'I accept these terms'
4. Choose from the categories, your nationality and your user category, i.e. Athlete
NOTE: Make sure you select the correct sport as rules sometimes change from sport to sport
5. Now select the country in which you purchased the medication. This should be the UK as you are searching for a UK licensed product. If you did not buy the medication in the UK, turn over this page and read the instructions for using DID abroad.
6. Type in the first few characters of the substance you are enquiring about reading carefully from the label
7. Select the correct product name from the drop down menu, checking that the name on DID matches the label of your product. This must be an exact match
8. Click on 'Show Status'
9. Read the status of each ingredient listed and check they match the ingredients on the label
10. Read the WADA regulations to make sure you’re aware of any additional requirements.
How do I make sure I get the right response?
Like anything, if you don’t use DID in the way it is intended you may get it wrong. Follow these simple guidelines to ensure you have got the correct answer:
Check that the product name and ingredients on the label match those listed on DID
Don’t guess the spelling of the product or ingredients
Make sure the route of administration is correct. For more information on route of administration turn overleaf.
If the substance is not there, this doesn’t mean it is safe to take. Contact UK Sport for further advice.
How do I use DID when searching for a product I bought overseas?
When using DID to search for the status of an overseas product you have to be sure that you are searching for the right product. Products vary from country to country and even if the name and branding is the same, the ingredients could be different. Follow these steps to answer your query:
1. Log on to www.uksport.gov.uk/did
2. Read the introduction and click on 'Drug Query'
3. Read the terms and conditions carefully and if you accept, click 'I accept these terms'
4. Choose from the categories, your nationality and your user category, i.e. Athlete
NOTE: Make sure you select the correct sport as rules sometimes change from sport to sport
5. Here you will be asked to select the country in which you purchased the medication. If you want to know the contact details of the Anti-Doping Organisation in the country you are in, click on the relevant country listed;
BUT: If you want to search for the status of your substance, click on 'UK' but remember you are searching in a different way than for UK products.
6. Now, one by one you will need to search for the ingredients listed on the label of the product. Type in a few characters of the first ingredient then go to step 7 and 8 and so on…then type in a few characters of the second ingredient then go to step 7 and 8 and so on... Follow this procedure until you have searched for all of the ingredients
7. Select the correct ingredient from the drop down menu, checking that the name on DID matches the ingredient on the label of your product. This must be an exact match.
8. Click on 'Show Status'
9. Read the status of each ingredient as they are listed after each search and if any of these are prohibited then do not take this product.
10. Read the WADA regulations to make sure you’re aware of any additional requirements.
Route of Administration
The route of administration refers to the way in which a medication or substance is taken or administered, for example, tablets, injections or creams. Always check your medication according to the route of administration as the status may change according to how the medication is taken. Use the information below as a guide only and if you’re not sure, check with your team doctor.
Oral Preparations: E.g. tablets, capsules and syrups are called 'Oral' or 'Systemic'' preparations that are applied through the mouth and go directly into your system
Topical Preparations: E.g. creams, ointments, drops, sprays (eye, ear, nasal) and nasal inhalers are called 'Topical' or 'Local' preparations because they are applied to an area of skin and affect only the area to which they are applied
Rectal Preparations: E.g. suppositories are called 'Rectal' or 'Systemic' preparations and are systemic because they are applied in the rectum and go directly into your system
Local or intra-articular injections: These types of injections are considered 'Topical' or 'Local' preparations because they are applied to a particular area on the body affecting only that area
Intra muscular or intravenous injections: These are injections that are considered 'Systemic' preparations that are administered to the muscle or the vein and go directly into the system.
UK Sport
Drug-Free Sport Directorate
40 Bernard Street
London WC1N 1ST
Tel: 020 7211 5129
Fax: 020 7211 5248
Email: drug-free@uksport.gov.uk
Website: www.uksport.gov.uk
Drug Information Database: www.uksport.gov.uk/did
Drug Information Line: +44 (0) 800 528 0004
Version 3 - 23 June 2004
