Two documents developed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) are integral parts of the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport: the Prohibited List and the Standards for Granting Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE Standard). They are fundamental to international anti-doping efforts.
There is a mechanism in the Convention, as outlined in Article 34, which allows signatory governments (States Parties) to approve and adopt any changes made to the Prohibited List or the TUE Standard by WADA. Unless two-thirds of the States Parties object, the proposed amendments are incorporated into the Convention.
Each year WADA prepares a comprehensive list of prohibited substances and methods. This Prohibited List is continually evolving as new substances and methods are uncovered and scientific knowledge of the effects of the various substances advance.
- Prohibited List 2023
- More information is available on the WADA website
Annex II: Standards for Granting Therapeutic Use Exemptions
The TUE Standard outlines the means by which athletes can use medicines on the Prohibited List to treat legitimate medical conditions. Athletes, like everyone else, may suffer from illnesses that require them to take particular medications. Provided that the need for medication is genuine, and subject to specific criteria, the use of medications should not impact on the ability of athletes to participate in their sport. Athletes that have obtained a TUE will not be considered to have committed an anti-doping rule violation should a positive test for the approved medication result, as long as the conditions of the TUE were fully met.
- International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions 2023
- More information is available on the WADA website