Drugs don’t work?

Barys Astana and Kazahkstan national team forward Ilya Solarev received a two year suspension by the IIHF "following a positive test for salbutamol, a banned substance under the World Anti-Doping Code." during the IHWC Division I held in Budapest last april, where Kazakhstan earned the promotion to Elite Division. Solarev helped the team with one goal in five games.

The decision may be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but his club already cancelled the contract:  "Barys were aware of the possible suspension of the player, and waited for the decision of the International Ice Hockey Federation over the summer.The contract with the hockey player now automatically terminated." said in a short statement President Nurlan Orazbaev.

Salbutamol is typically used to treat bronchospasm (due to either allergen asthma or exercise-induced), as well aschronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is commonly marketed under the name Ventolin. Even if a study published by the British Journal of Pharmacology concludes that "clinical studies show no compelling evidence that salbutamol and other β₂-agonists can increase performance in healthy athletes", however salbutamol was included in WADA prohibited list, permitting the use of "maximum 1600 micrograms over 24 hours when taken by inhalation".

According to IIHF, Disciplinary Panel "found no evidence that the forbidden substance was not intended to enhance sport performance." despite Solarev claimed he used the substance for treating his chronic asthma.

Barys and Kazakhstan national team doctor, mr. Igor Morozov, support player's interpretation: "Ilya has a chronic disease. And during the attack, experiencing a real threat, he simply breathed more of the drug than allowed.The drug is not prohibited per se, just have regulations for its allowable dosage.That's the whole situation, people panicked. We had an official permit. RUSADA (the Russian Agency for Doping) allowed us to inhale salbutamol. However, same Agency recommended to looking for more effective treatments, but Ilya did not use them, because he felt to breathe easier with salbutamol. When we arrived In Budapest, there was another weather - warmer than in Astana. He had a stroke. Before the trains Ilya was even repeatedly hospitalized due to asthma exacerbations, carried away by ambulance .And in that situation, he decided to carry on alone, do not seek advice and assistance from the medical team, and just breathed more than permitted. There was no malice in him, just fear. And in general, this drug absolutely can not improve the effectiveness of a player, no way! It only saved a man from choking.That's all."

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