Australian Government: Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee

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Information for athletes on Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE)

Medical
emergencies

In emergencies, your health comes first.

Always seek medical attention immediately and advise all medical staff that you are an athlete subject to doping control.

If your health depends on a prohibited substance or method, submit a TUE application immediately after treatment has occurred (retroactive TUE).

In these situations your doctor may be able to contact ASDMAC and speak directly to a medical practitioner member of ASDMAC for advice.

ASDMAC contact details

A TUE permits an athlete to use a prohibited substance or method if the substance or method is medically required.

Athletes can only get a TUE if there is no unfair advantage from taking the substance or using the method.

Criteria for determining whether a TUE is granted are defined by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The criteria are:

  • The athlete would experience a significant impairment to their health without the use of the prohibited substance or method.
  • The therapeutic use of the prohibited substance or prohibited method would produce no additional enhancement of performance.
  • There is no reasonable therapeutic alternative to the use of the otherwise prohibited substance or prohibited method.

Check your substances

Apply for a TUE

 

Do I need a TUE?

1. Check the substance you plan to take online or call 13 000 ASADA (13 000 27232) if you do not have internet access.

2. If the substance is prohibited, talk to your doctor to see if there is a permitted alternative.

3. If the substance is only prohibited in-competition, ask your doctor if the substance will still be in your system by the time you are competing. If the substance will still be in your system, you will need a TUE (see 4).

Note: Different substances take different amounts of time to clear an athlete’s system. You should always check with your doctor to see if the substance will still be in your system. Athletes should also be careful with supplements – read ASADA’s warning on supplements here.

 

4. If the substance is prohibited out-of-competition, or if the substance is prohibited in-competition and may be in your system when you compete, apply for a TUE.

If you have any questions, please contact ASDMAC on 13 000 ASADA (13 000 27232) or at asdmac@asada.gov.au