A North-West University (NWU) professor has been selected for a new diploma in sports pharmacy offered by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), marking a significant milestone for both the institution and the pharmacy profession.
Prof. Stephan Steyn, an associate professor in Pharmacology, will join the inaugural 2026 intake of the programme, the first qualification of its kind worldwide, positioning the NWU among the early contributors to the emerging field of sports pharmacy.
“This is a unique moment, not only personally, but for the profession as a whole,” said Prof. Steyn. “We will be the first group globally to graduate with this diploma.”
He first became aware of IOC academic programmes two years ago through its diploma in sports medicine. However, as the programme required a medical degree, he did not meet the entry criteria at the time.
The opportunity resurfaced in 2025 with the introduction of a newly developed sports pharmacy diploma specifically designed for pharmacists. “This immediately captured my interest,” he said. “It created an opportunity to combine my background in pharmacology with my experience in sport.”
A former competitive karateka who competed at national and international level, Prof. Steyn remains actively involved in the sport through coaching and training. His love for sport and an active lifestyle, together with his research interest into the bio-energetic construct of depression, has contributed to a growing interest in how medicine can influence both disease and human performance. “If medicine can be used to treat illness, it also holds the potential to enhance physical performance in otherwise healthy individuals,” he said.
The 2026 intake marks the first time the IOC’s sports pharmacy qualification will be offered at diploma level. While a certificate programme existed previously, this inaugural cohort, including international participants upgrading their credentials, is expected to set the benchmark for the field. The diploma is supported and awarded by the IOC’s Health, Medicine and Science Commission and recognised by the International Pharmaceutical Federation, underscoring its global relevance.
The qualification reflects a broader shift in healthcare toward prevention and performance optimisation. It equips pharmacists with specialised knowledge to support athlete recovery, improve performance and ensure compliance with anti-doping regulations. “This shifts pharmacology from a reactive model to one aimed at maintaining physiological resilience, delaying the onset of disease, and ultimately improving long-term health outcomes,” Prof. Steyn said.
At an institutional level, the development could contribute to future academic expansion at the NWU, particularly with the establishment of the Desmond Tutu Medical School. Prof. Steyn said this creates an opportunity to develop a dedicated focus area in sports medicine and sports pharmacy.
He emphasised the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving pharmacists, medical doctors, dietitians and sports scientists to improve both athlete care and broader health outcomes. With Potchefstroom already established as a training hub for elite athletes, the initiative could further strengthen the NWU’s role in performance-based healthcare education.
As part of the first cohort, Prof. Steyn is not only advancing his own expertise but also contributing to the development of a new frontier in global healthcare. One that not only enhances his expertise within the sporting context, but also contributes to a more progressive and preventative vision for the future of pharmacology.
Prof. Stephan Steyn
