[New provisions for prevention and fight against doping]

Doping which is largely a sport-related phenomenon, led the French government of enact a series of laws in 1965, 1984, and 1989. Due to the apparent extension of doping, a new law was enacted on March 23, 1999. This law concerns medical surveillance of athletes and prevention and fight against doping. A council for the prevention and fight against doping was created. This nine-member council includes a representative of the French International Academy of Pharmacy and its president is a state counsellor. The council has three main areas of activity: disciplinary judgements concerning doped athletes, establishment of prevention policies, coordination of scientific research in the field of sport medicine and doping. The law also provides for penal sanctions for resellers. Antidoping activities are also managed on an international level. Contributors include the Council of Europe, the European Community, the International Olympic Committee, and the recently created (1999) World Antidoping Agency.