THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTIONS
WHAT IS A THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION (TUE)?
Athletes may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take medications or undergo procedures. If the medication or method an athlete is required to use to treat an illness or condition is prohibited as per the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List a TUE may give that athlete the authorization to use that substance or method while competing without invoking an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) and applicable sanction. Applications for TUEs are evaluated by a panel of physicians, the TUE Committee (TUEC).
WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR GRANTING A TUE?
All of the four following criteria must be met (for more details, please refer to the WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE) Article 4.2):
- The athlete has a clear diagnosed medical condition which requires treatment using a prohibited substance or method;
- The therapeutic use of the substance will not, on the balance of probabilities produce significant enhancement of performance beyond the athlete’s normal state of health;
- The prohibited substance or method is an indicated treatment for the medical condition, and there is no reasonable permitted therapeutic alternative;
- The necessity to use that substance or method is not a consequence of the prior use (without a TUE), of a substance or method which was prohibited at the time of use.
WHO SHOULD APPLY FOR A TUE? WHERE AND WHEN TO APPLY?
Athletes who are subject to anti-doping rules would need a TUE to take a prohibited substance or use a prohibited method. You should verify with IFBB to know to whom you need to apply and if you can apply retroactively.
First, check if the required medication or method you intend to take, or use is prohibited as per the WADA Prohibited List.
You have a responsibility to inform your physician(s) that you are an Athlete bound to anti-doping rules. You and your physician(s) should check the Prohibited List for the substance/method you are prescribed. If the substance/method is prohibited, discuss non-prohibited alternatives, if there are none, apply for a TUE. Remember Athletes have the ultimate responsibility. Contact your NADO or IFBB if you are having difficulties.
Then, contact IFBB at antidoping@ifbb.com to determine your competition level and TUE application requirements.
– If it is determined that you are an International-Level Athlete (a-Athletes who are part of the IFBB Registered Testing Pool or any other Testing Pool; b-Athletes holding a valid IFBB International Card and c-Athletes who compete in any of the IFBB International Events listed on the IFBB website at https://ifbb.com/events/ from time to time.) you must apply to IFBB in advance, as soon as the need arises, unless there are emergency or exceptional circumstances.
For substances prohibited in-competition only, you should apply for a TUE at least 30 days before your next competition, unless one of the exceptions on retroactive TUEs (see below) apply.
Please refer to the section “How to apply to IFBB for a TUE?” below.
If you already have a TUE granted by your National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO):
In such case, please notify IFBB that you have a TUE granted by your NADO.
If your existing TUE does not fall under a category of decision described above, you must submit a request for recognition to IFBB. Please refer to the section “How to submit a request for recognition of your NADO’s TUE to IFBB?” below.
CAN I GET A RETROACTIVE TUE?
You may only apply retroactively for a TUE to IFBB if:
- You required emergency or urgent treatment of a medical condition.
- There was insufficient time, opportunity or other exceptional circumstances that prevented you from submitting the TUE application, or having it evaluated, before getting tested.
- You are a lower level athlete who is not under the jurisdiction of IFBB or NADO and were tested.
- You tested positive after using a substance Out-of-Competition that is only prohibited In-Competition (for example glucocorticoids).
In rare and exceptional circumstances and notwithstanding any other provision in the ISTUE, you may apply for and be granted retroactive approval for a therapeutic use of a prohibited substance or method, if considering the purpose of the Code, it would be manifestly unfair not to grant a retroactive TUE.
This unique retroactive TUE will only be granted with the prior approval of WADA (and WADA may in its absolute discretion agree with or reject the IFBB’s decision).
Important note:
Using a prohibited substance or method without a TUE could result in an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.
In case an application for a retroactive TUE is necessary following sample collection, you are strongly advised to have a medical file prepared and ready to submit for evaluation.
HOW TO APPLY TO IFBB FOR A TUE?
You must exclusively submit your TUE application, including the required medical file, via ADAMS. If you do not have an ADAMS account yet, please contact antidoping@ifbb.com to have your account set up.
The medical file must include:
- A comprehensive medical history, including documentation from the original diagnosing physician(s) (where possible);
- The results of all examinations, laboratory investigations and imaging studies relevant to the application.
Any TUE application that is not complete or legible will not be dealt with and will be returned for completion and re-submission.
To assist you and your doctor in providing the correct medical documentation, we suggest consulting the WADA’s Checklists for TUE applications for guidance and support, and TUE Physician Guidelines for guidance on specific common medical conditions, treatments, substances, etc.
Keep a complete copy of the TUE application form and all medical information submitted in support of your application, and proof that it has been sent.
HOW TO SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR RECOGNITION OF MY NADO’S TUE TO IFBB?
Your request for recognition should be submitted to IFBB in writing quoting your ADAMS TUE reference number.
Keep a complete copy of the proof that your request for recognition has been sent to IFBB.
WHAT HAPPENS AT MAJOR EVENTS?
A Major Event Organization (MEO) requires athletes to apply for the recognition of their TUE if they wish to use a prohibited substance or method in connection with the Event.
If you have a TUE granted by IFBB and you will be competing at a Major Event e.g., the Olympic Games, you should contact the MEO for information on their recognition process.
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE A DECISION ON MY TUE APPLICATION (OR REQUEST OF RECOGNITION)?
IFBB’s TUEC’s must render a decision as soon as possible, and usually within 21 days from the date of receipt of the complete TUE application [or request for recognition].
WHAT IF I NEED TO RENDW MY TUE?
Each TUE has a specific duration, at the end of which it expires automatically. Should you need to continue to use the prohibited substance or method, it is your responsibility to submit a new application for a TUE with updated medical information ahead of the expiry date, so that there is sufficient time for a decision to be made prior to the expiry of the current TUE.
Important note:
The presence (following sample collection), use, possession or administration of the prohibited substance or method must be consistent with the terms of your TUE. Therefore, if you require a materially different dosage, frequency, route or duration of administration, you should contact IFBB, as you may be required to apply for a new TUE. Some substances and dosages, e.g. insulin, are often modified during treatment and these possible fluctuations should be mentioned by the treating physician in the TUE application and would usually be accepted by the ADO TUEC.
WHAT IF MY IFBB’S TUE APPLICATION IS DENIED?
A decision to deny a TUE application will include a written explanation of the reason(s) for the denial. If it is not clear to you, please contact IFBB to understand exactly why the TUE was denied. Sometimes, there may be a critical piece of information, diagnostic test, laboratory results missing, etc. In which case, you should re-apply to us.
You and/or your NADO may refer the matter to WADA for review no later than 21 days after notification of the IFBB TUEC decision. You should send the same information that you submitted to us, and on which the decision to deny the TUE was based on, via a secure on-line method or by registered mail at:
WADA Medical Department
World Anti-Doping Agency
Stock Exchange Tower
800 Place Victoria (Suite 1700)
P.O. Box 120
Montreal (Quebec) H4Z 1B7
Canada
The email address to enquire and/or send the request for review is: medical@wada-ama.org
It should be noted that WADA is not obliged to proceed with a request for a review. In that case, you and/or your NADO may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
WHAT IF MY NADO’S TUE IS NOT RECOGNIZED BY IFBB?
You and/or your NADO have 21 days from the date of decision to refer the matter to WADA for review. The email address to enquire and/or send the request for review is: medical@wada-ama.org. Alternatively, you may send to:
WADA Medical Department
World Anti-Doping Agency
Stock Exchange Tower
800 Place Victoria (Suite 1700)
P.O. Box 120
Montreal (Quebec) H4Z 1B7
Canada
The same information that was provided to your NADO should be submitted to WADA. Please use a secure on-line method unless sending by registered mail.
Pending WADA’s decision, your NADO TUE remains valid for national-level competition and out-of-competition testing only.
If the matter is not referred to WADA for review, your NADO must determine whether the original TUE that was granted should remain valid for national-level Competition and Out-of-Competition Testing.
WILL MY MEDICAL INFORMATION BE TREATED IN CONFIDENTIAL MANNER?
All the information contained in a TUE application, including the supporting medical information and any other information related to the evaluation of your TUE request is kept strictly confidential and treated in accordance with the Athlete’s Declaration contained in the ADAMS TUE process. All members of the TUEC and any other authorized recipients of your TUE request and related information (as described in the Athlete’s Declaration) are subject to a professional or contractual confidentiality obligation.
Please review the terms of the Athlete’s Declaration carefully. In particular, note that should you wish to revoke the right of the IFBB’s TUEC to obtain the information related to your TUE in accordance with the Athlete’s Declaration, your TUE application will be deemed withdrawn without approval [or recognition] being granted.
Your TUE request-related information will be retained by IFBB and any other authorized recipients for no longer than necessary for the purposes stated in the Athlete’s Declaration, in accordance with the International Standard for the Protection of Privacy and Personal Information.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For any further information and questions in relation to IFBB’s personal information practices, please contact headquarter@ifbb.com.
If you have a doubt as regards to which organization you should apply for a TUE, or as to the recognition process, or any other question about TUEs, please contact: antidoping@ifbb.com
OTHER USEFUL LINKS:
IFBB GUIDELINES FOR THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION PROCEDURES
WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE)
WADA Checklists for TUE Applications
WADA Guidelines for the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE)
