Ethiopia: Pharmacy banned for selling EPO

ESAT News (August 30, 2017)

A pharmacy in Addis Ababa has been banned for three months for selling EPO without prescription.

A joint investigation by the Guardian and the German broadcaster ARD last month revealed that the Gishen Pharmacy, located just across the Addis Ababa Stadium, have sold vials of EPO to athletes and others who come without prescription. The pharmacy sold vials of the EPO to undercover journalists of the Guardian and ARD during a national championship competitions.

The country’s Ministry of Youth and Sports has also suspended the license of the manager of the pharmacy for six months.

The investigative report by the Guardian and ARD has also found that the Ethiopian Anti-Doping Agency has given “conflicting figures when asked to provide details of urine and blood tests during the national championships.”

The sale of EPO and shady documentations of tests by the Ethiopian Anti-Doping Agency would tarnish the reputation a country which is known to dominate international long distance competitions.