WADA publishes tighter policy on Therapeutic Use Exemptions

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published a tighter policy on Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE). A TUE gives an athlete an exemption to take a prohibited substance or use a prohibited method to treat a medical condition that has been diagnosed by a physician. 

The new guidelines address the use of human growth hormone and have been updated to ensure that TUEs are only granted to those who have legitimate medical needs and meet the criteria in the International Standard for TUEs (ISTUE). 

To ensure consistency and that all involved comply, WADA utilised international experts so that the guidelines have an in-depth technical framework for physicians and Testing Commissions. 

One of the main elements includes the use of human growth hormone (hGH) in athletes with short stature who do not have growth hormone deficiency. WADA has created a new TUE Physician Guideline (TPG) for this matter which can be found here - Short Stature (non-growth hormone deficiency) TPG. 

WADA consulted a panel of leading endocrinologists and a sports medicine specialist to establish that TUEs will only be granted to athletes whose height falls below 2.25 standard deviations on the growth curve. Additionally, treatment may continue only until the athlete reaches the 5th percentile of adult height, according to the relevant growth charts. Once the athlete reaches this height, treatment will no longer be allowed. 

WADA’s new policy is supported by an article in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. The article, as stated on WADA’s website, “demonstrates the collaborative efforts involved in the development of TPGs, which are invaluable tools in the medical anti-doping context and exemplifies WADA’s commitment to harmonizing global TUE practices in challenging areas to ensure fair play and clean sport.” 

For more information, you can explore WADA’s TUE-related resources here - Therapeutic Use Exemptions | World Anti Doping Agency 

WADA’s official statement can be found here - WADA develops new Therapeutic Use Exemption guideline | World Anti Doping Agency