Advancements in Testing Capabilities Signal Bright Future for Anti-Doping
Wednesday, March 16th, 2022
Within the first three months of 2022, two peer-reviewed studies have shown what we at InnoVero believe to be a critical finding for the future of drug testing: Dried Blood Spot testing is not only effective, it’s highly preferred and far less invasive.
Innovation is changing the way we imagine anti-doping sample collection. For the sake of all of global sport, the need for advancement within the anti-doping landscape has never been more important.
On the heels of another Olympic Games in which doping cast its long and shameful shadow, the challenges to running efficient and effective doping programs globally continue to grow with each passing day.
Human resources are strained, challenging the ability to properly staff doping control officers to administer sample collections and phlebotomists to perform venous blood draws. Testing plans focused on frequency and strategy have been challenged due to a global pandemic, exacerbated by travel restrictions and shipping delays.
Athletes continue to perform, the games continue on, and global trust hangs in the balance.
Yet we believe the tide in anti-doping efforts are turning. The March study published in Drug Testing and Analysis demonstrates that growth hormone can be detected in DBS testing methods, a significant advancement in sample collection research. This comes on the heels of a study conducted by Anti-Doping Denmark that DBS methods are preferred by athletes and DCOs and far less invasive that venous draws.
Beyond these studies, we know that DBS testing provides substantial cost-savings in blood testing, when reducing the need for a phlebotomist and expensive methods of shipping. Increased frequency, and an increased deterrence, are two outcomes that matter significantly to anti-doping stakeholders.
The start of 2022 gives hope to a more innovative and collaborative future in anti-doping practices. Join us at InnoVero to be a part of the solution!