CHINESE doctors have been asked to check whether patients are athletes before prescribing medicines containing restricted substances for them, as the Beijing Olympic Games draws near.

In hospitals providing health services for the Olympic Games, doctors must check whether patients are Olympic athletes before prescribing medicines containing restricted substances for them, said a circular on the tightening of supervision of such medicines, issued by the Ministry of Health in Beijing Monday.

If they are athletes, doctors must mention the fact on the prescription and clearly mark of "dope-containing medicines," the circular said.

It suggested doctors not prescribe such medicines for athletes. But, if they have to, patients must be informed about the effect, it said.

Doctors should not prescribe such medicines without the agreement of the athletes.

(Xinhua)