Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the therapeutic use of prohibited substances?
- Isn't it unfair that some athlete may be allowed to use prohibited substances and still compete?
- What are the penalties for using a prohibited substance without a therapeutic use exemption?
- How does an international athlete seek approval for the therapeutic use of a prohibited substance?
- What about therapeutic use of prohibited substances at international events?
- When did the latest World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List changes come into effect?
- Are medical personnel subject to the World Anti-Doping Code's regulations?
- Where can I access more anti-doping information?
- How do i contact my sporting organisation's medical officer?
- Does ASDMAC charge for therapeutic use approvals?
- How is ASDMAC accountable for it decisions?
- What do I do if my application is rejected?
- What if I want to take a nutritional supplement?
1. What is the therapeutic use of prohibited substances?
From time to time an athlete may need to use a prohibited substance for a legitimate medical reason.
Therapeutic Use Exemption Committees such as ASDMAC examine requests by athletes to legitimately use prohibited substances or methods and decide, in accordance with strict criteria, whether the relevant athlete should be permitted to use them.
ASDMAC's processes are consistent with the Therapeutic Use Exemption standards under the World Anti-Doping Code.
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2. Isn't it unfair that some athlete may be allowed to use prohibited substances and still compete?
When deciding whether to allow an athlete to use a prohibited substance for a legitimate reason, ASDMAC will also look at whether an athlete may obtain an unfair performance advantage.
One factor that ASDMAC looks at is whether a prohibited substance will simply allow an athlete (with a legitimate medical reason) to function normally, rather than providing an unfair performance advantage.
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3. What are the penalties for using a prohibited substance without a Therapeutic Use Exemption?
Athletes who use a prohibited substance for a medical reason, but have not sought ASDMAC's or their sport's approval, are committing a doping offence.
The penalties vary depending on the offence and may vary from warnings to a sanction that will apply for a number of years.
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4. How does an international athlete seek approval for the therapeutic use of a prohibited substance?
International Federations (IF) operate their own therapeutic use processes which include a Therapeutic Use Exception Committee (TUEC). Athletes participating in international events who do not have a TUE recognised by the IF must request a TUE from the IF no later than thirty (30) days before participation at an international event.
An International Federation (IF) may recognise a TUE granted by ASDMAC. When competing in International Sports Federation (ISF) sanctioned events either in Australia or overseas.
You will need to approach the IF to determine if the approval provided by the ASDMAC is valid for continued use of the substance during competition or valid under the IF rules.
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5. What about therapeutic use of prohibited substances at international events?
Athletes who need to use a prohibited substance for a medical reason at an international event will need to check the necessary procedure with the team doctor. During this procedure the athlete will also need to ascertain whether his or her International Federation (IF) allows therapeutic use of prohibited substances and whether the IF will recognise an approval from ASDMAC. Note that not all sports recognise ASDMAC approvals. Athletes participating in international events who do not have a TUE recognised by the IF have to request a TUE from the IF no later than twenty-one days before participation at an international event.
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6. When did the latest World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List changes come into effect?
The World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List is reviewed annually and comes into effect on 1 January each year. Athletes and their support staff may also contact the ASADA Hotline for advice regarding the status of substances. The ASADA Hotline may be contacted on 13 000 ASADA (13 000 27232) (8am-8pm Mon-Sun).
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7. Are medical personnel subject to the World Anti-Doping Code's regulations?
Under the Code, medical professionals are defined as athlete support personnel and are bound by the Code's regulations (in sports that have adopted the Code).
Athlete support personnel can be sanctioned, just as athletes can, for committing Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) under a sport's anti-doping policy. The ADRVs most relevant to medical professionals include:
- Administration or attempted administration of a prohibited substance or prohibited method to any athlete, or assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, covering up or any other type of complicity involving an anti-doping rule violation or any attempted violation
- Possession of Prohibited Substances and Methods
- Trafficking in any Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method.
ADRVs such as those listed above can incur between a two year and lifetime suspension from sport.
Note: doctors are not deemed to be trafficking if they possess appropriate quantities of prohibited substances that are pursuant to legitimate therapeutic use purposes (see Article 2.6 of the Code).
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8. Where can I access more anti-doping information?
The ASADA website contains the latest information on anti-doping regulations.
For information on the status of substances in sport call the ASADA Hotline - 13 000 ASADA (13 000 27232) (8am-8pm Mon-Sun) or check your substances online.
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9. How do I contact my sporting organisation's medical officer?
Athletes should contact their National Sporting Organisation (NSO) to speak to the relevant medical officer.
NSO contact details are listed via the National Sports Information Centre website.
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10. Does ASDMAC charge for therapeutic use approvals?
No, ASDMAC does not charge athletes who apply for approval to use a prohibited substance for a legitimate therapeutic purpose.
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11. How is ASDMAC accountable for its decisions?
ASDMAC is subject to regular independent auditing and scrutiny via its reporting to Australian Parliament and through the World Anti-Doping Agency review process (see article 13.3 in the World Anti-Doping Code).
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12. What do I do if my application is rejected?
Each TUE application form should be supported by full clinical history, investigations and information as to failed treatment with permitted medications; per note two of the application form.
If your application is rejected insufficient medical evidence may have been provided with your application form. The ASDMAC secretariat may be contacted on 02 6222 4232 for more information.
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13. What if I want to take a nutritional supplement?
Athletes do not have to apply to ASDMAC to use a nutritional supplement product. However athletes should be aware that the use of supplement products carries a greater risk of containing an unlisted prohibited substance than does the use of registered pharmaceutical products.
Many supplements have unlisted prohibited substances in their contents. As such, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) via its Hotline service (13 000 ASADA (13 000 27232)) can not accurately determine the status of such products in sport.
For more information on supplement products and their status in sport, athletes should contact the ASADA Anti-Doping Hotline on 13 000 ASADA (13 000 27232). In addition, athletes may also want to discuss the use of supplement products with their national sporting organisation's medical officer prior to use.
For information provided by the Australian Sports Commission follow the following link: http://www.ais.org.au/nutrition/Supplements.asp
This page last updated
Friday, June 20, 2008
Copyright © 2008, Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC)
