5.4 – Practical Studies – Therapeutic Use Exemptions ©WADA – Version 2.1 – March 2010

Practical Studies:

Therapeutic Use Exemptions

1. Marc is 12 years old and competing at a regional level. He has allergy triggered asthma and uses a puffer. He gets a wild card to take part at the national U13 championships. What do you do? 2. Mary’s mother comes to see you and asks you if there is any administrative procedure to be done because her daughter is taking Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication. The substance used to treat this condition, methylphenidate, is a prohibited substance. What do you do? 3. During an event one of your players gets injured. The team doctor injects him with some sort of painkiller. He feels fine after a few minutes and the doctor gives permission for him to run back on the field. Does a TUE form still have to be filled in? Can you, the coach say no to the injection? Can you refuse the right to the player to be sent back on to the field?

Notes to the Facilitator: Athletes, like all others, may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take particular medications. If the medication an athlete has to take falls under the Prohibited List, he/she can receive permission to take the medication by applying for a Therapeutic Use Exemption. However, an athlete has to prove, with medical evidence that this medication is needed. If an athlete has to use a medication that contains a prohibited substance, the athlete should ask the physician who wrote the prescription to fill out a TUE application form that can be obtained from the National Anti-Doping Organization, the National Federation or the International Federation’s Web site. The form along with the required supporting documentation should be sent to the International Federation or National Anti-Doping Organization (whichever applies). This process only applies to athletes who belong to a group called a Registered Testing Pool, managed by either the International Federation or the NADO. If an athlete is going to take part in a national or international competition, even if not part of a registered testing pool, it is best to apply for a TUE.

In any case, any athlete may request a TUE if he/she wishes to do so.