Anti-Doping

USE OF MEDICATION &

 therapeutic use exemptions

What Is A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)?

Athletes may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take medications or undergo medical procedures. If the medication or method an athlete needs to use to treat an illness or condition is prohibited as per the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List, an athlete may apply for a TUE. If granted, the TUE would authorise the athlete to use the substance or method, without invoking an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) and applicable sanctions. Applications for TUEs are evaluated by a panel of physicians, knows as 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 the Biathlon Integrity Unit to know where you need to apply and if you can apply retroactively. 

First, you and your doctor should check if the required medication or method you intend to take, or use is prohibited as per the WADA Prohibited List. [Prohibited List] You may also use a ‘check your medication’ online tool or ask your NADO if it has one. 

Then, contact then Biathlon Integrity Unit, antidoping@biathlonintegrity.com to determine your competition level and TUE application requirements. 

ª If it is determined that you are an IBU RTP Athlete ( link to IBU RTP) you must apply to the Biathlon Integrity Unit in advance, as soon as the need arises, unless there are emergency or exceptional circumstances. Application must be done via ADAMS. 

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. 

If you already have a TUE granted by your National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO):

Your NADO’s TUE is only valid at the national level, and you must submit a request for recognition to the Biathlon Integrity Unit via ADAMS in case you want to compete at an IBU Event. Please refer to the section “How to submit a request for recognition of your NADO’s TUE to the Biathlon Integrity Unit below.

 

How to apply to the Biathlon Integrity Unit 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@biathlonintegrity.com to have your account set up. 

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 the Biathlon Integrity Unit?

Your request for recognition should be submitted to the Biathlon Integrity Unit via ADAMS exclusively.

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 the Biathlon Integrity Unit 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.

Can I Get a Retroactive TUE?

You may only apply retroactively for a TUE to the Biathlon Integrity Unit 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 the International Biathlon Union 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 Biathlon Integrity Unit’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. 

What if I need to renew 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 the Biathlon Integrity Unit, 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 Biathlon Integrity Unit’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 antidoping@biathlonintegrity.com 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 Biathlon Integrity Units 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 case WADA decides not to go through with the request, you and/or your NADO may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

 What if my NADO´S TUE is not regonized the Biathlon Integrity Unit?

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. 

TUE Instructions & Form

Download File

Privacy Settings
We use cookies to enhance your experience while using our website. If you are using our Services via a browser you can restrict, block or remove cookies through your web browser settings. We also use content and scripts from third parties that may use tracking technologies. You can selectively provide your consent below to allow such third party embeds. For complete information about the cookies we use, data we collect and how we process them, please check our Cookie Policy
Youtube
Consent to display content from - Youtube
Vimeo
Consent to display content from - Vimeo
Google Maps
Consent to display content from - Google