Briefly introduce yourself (The person and your academic qualifications so far)
My name is Mohy Eldin Elgaafary, an Egyptian pharmacist. I have the following qualifications: a B.Sc. in Pharmaceutical Science from the Faculty of Pharmacy at Alexandria University, which I obtained in June 2008. I later pursued a postgraduate diploma in business administration and management from the Faculty of Commerce at the same university, completing it in June 2016. Most recently, in September 2022, I obtained an IOC (International Olympic Committee) Certificate in Drugs in Sport during my time in Lausanne, Switzerland
Briefly share your previous work experience.
My journey in the field of pharmacy has been diverse and fulfilling. It all began when I worked as a Community Pharmacist from July 2008 to July 2010. Subsequently, I transitioned to a role as a Pharmacist at Ras El-Teen Military Hospital, contributing to healthcare delivery within a hospital setting between December 2008 and December 2009. My versatility extended to the pharmaceutical industry, where I served as a Medical Representative at EGYPHAR, one of Egypt’s leading pharmaceutical industries, from March 2009 to July 2010. However, my entrepreneurial spirit led me further; I founded and directed El-Gaafary Pharmacy for six years until December 2016. My commitment to delivering quality healthcare continued during the COVID-19 pandemic. I actively participated as a Medical Observer & Coordinator and COVID-19 officer at the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) between July 2020 and December 2021.
Where are you currently working, and what does your job entail?
I hold multiple roles across various organisations. Since February 2013, I have been the Founder and Owner of INTERMED Medical Company, a firm specialising in sports medicine supplies. In addition, I have been working as a freelance sports pharmacist and anti-doping consultant since January 2022, where I advise on and handle legal disputes.
Since February 2023, I have served as a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) Committee member in several international sports federations. These include the World Ability Sport (International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Federation), Virtus Sport (International Sports Federation for Athletes with an Intellectual Impairment), and the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA). The TUE Committee is a medical committee that evaluates requests from athletes for therapeutic use exemptions. These exemptions allow athletes to use specific prohibited substances or medicines as treatment for specific medical conditions for a limited time. Each role enables me to apply my expertise in sports medicine and anti-doping regulations to ensure fair and safe competition in sports.
Sports pharmacy as a speciality is relatively new in Africa; as the first Egyptian to specialise as a sports pharmacist and anti-doping consultant, what challenges have you encountered? How did you address them?
Sports pharmacy is a relatively new emerging field. Since 2015, through my work and interactions with numerous athletes and sports medicine doctors, I have observed a daily need for medicines and nutritional supplements, all within the framework of anti-doping laws. Many athletes and doctors have sought my advice as a pharmacist, which led me to realise the need for a deeper understanding and study of anti-doping laws. This began my journey into the fascinating world of sports pharmacy.
The greatest challenge I faced was being the first pharmacist in Egypt to take an interest in this new specialisation. I found myself in need of a pharmacist with prior experience in this field. Another hurdle was the need for more scientific books or references specific to this discipline. I have yet to find a book from the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) in the USA. This need prompted me to embark on a journey of research and intensive reading of numerous studies related to the use of drugs in sports. This research continued until 2018, when the International Olympic Committee announced a certificate on drugs in sports.
What opportunities exist for pharmacists in sports medicine and the Olympic arena?
There are numerous opportunities for pharmacists in sports medicine, particularly in the Olympic games. Major sports events include participating in medical committees, including pharmacists specialised in sports pharmacy, that dispense medication to athletes and provide counsel in accordance with anti-doping rules. Pharmacists also have a chance to be on doping analysis and sampling collection teams.
“The future triangle of sports medicine” is a concept that you highly advocate for. Please expound more on this concept and the need to embrace it.
Most sports teams have a medical team comprising a sports medicine doctor and a physiotherapist. With the development of sports medicine and anti-doping science, there is a need for incorporating a sports pharmacist into each sports team. The pharmacist would work hand in hand with the doctor and physiotherapist to form the triangle of sports medicine. The pharmacist would then follow up on player treatments and nutritional supplements while writing reports daily in addition to teaching the players the proper use of the drug. In summary, this role is similar to that of an inpatient pharmacist in hospitals, but with athletes.
Africans love football; they watch it, talk about it, post about it on their social media platforms, and attend fixtures at the stadiums, wearing jerseys and football apparel to support their team. You once gave a lecture to the Egyptian national football team. Could you expound more on this and a pharmacist’s role in a sport such as football (soccer)?
Football is a passion in Africa, and this passion is one of the main reasons I chose to specialise in sports pharmacy. Recognising the importance of educating athletes about the correct use of drugs and how to minimise unintentional anti-doping violations, I delivered an educational lecture to the stars of the Al-Ahly football team before they participated in the Club World Cup in 2023.
I had the opportunity to repeat this experience with the Egyptian national football team before participating in the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast in 2024. The emphasis was on the principles of fair play, including abstaining from using prohibited drugs. Additionally, I provided support and education on the proper use of dietary supplements. This approach ensures that our athletes are well-informed and can compete safely and fairly.
Everyone, including athletes, falls ill at some point. We have read and heard of stories where athletes claim they were banned for doping even though they only took medicines during their medical treatment. What is your take on this as a sports pharmacist with experience in TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption) of medicines? How can pharmacists assist in such scenarios?
Pharmacists provide essential support, advice, and guidance to athletes to help them avoid violating anti-doping rules and, consequently, avoid punishment. This is achieved by continuously and periodically educating athletes on the correct and non-random use of medications. Additionally, pharmacists play a crucial role in finding suitable and non-prohibited drug alternatives for each case, determining the appropriate doses and timing of each dose according to the pharmacokinetics of each substance.
It is worth noting that timings are very sensitive and crucial in anti-doping. This aspect forms a significant part of our work in the TUE committee. Thus, pharmacists can significantly assist in ensuring athletes adhere to anti-doping rules while receiving the necessary medical treatment.
Every athlete aspires to excel in their sport, and this is where supplements and nutraceuticals, available at the community pharmacy, come into play. While these substances are not prohibited, what are the health implications of such substances if not used properly? Expound on a pharmacist’s role concerning the consumption of such substances among athletes.
Dietary supplements like vitamins, minerals, and herbal extracts aim to aid in the prevention and treatment of various medical conditions. Athletes frequently enhance their sports performance using supplements like creatine, whey protein, and caffeine. However, complications arise when some of these supplements contain prohibited substances like anabolic steroids and growth hormones or are contaminated with other banned substances like stimulants (DHAA).
The role of pharmacists, especially community pharmacists, is to advise athletes to avoid overusing supplements, discuss supplements-drug interactions, and help them choose proper, trusted, and tested supplements.
What advice can you give a young pharmacist interested in entering sports pharmacy but unsure where to start?
Follow your passion for sports pharmacy, increase your knowledge, and enrol in certified courses. Immerse yourself in the sports community, interact with athletes athletes, and strengthen your communication with them.
Mentorship plays a massive role in the growth of a person and a professional. Did you receive any mentorship in your career as a pharmacist? How can we improve mentorship as pharmacists?
During the study period, every professor takes credit for any success in the work journey. Every senior pharmacist I learned information from during my work deserves credit. Above all and fundamentally, the family is the best mentorship. Your Pharmacists Diary is doing an exemplary job in improving mentorship as pharmacists.
You were invited to deliver a lecture on sports pharmacy at Alexandria University, marking its introduction as a new speciality. Please share your insights on the measures and initiatives African countries could implement to advance sports medicine and pharmacy practices.
Investing in education and paying attention to continuing education after university allows young people to keep pace with development in modern fields and facilitates communication with various international experiences.