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).

Prohibited List

NADO TUEs are only valid for national-level Competition and Out-of-Competition Testing.

All of the four following criteria must be met. For more details, refer to the WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE) Article 4.2.

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 the consequence of the prior use (without a TUE) of a substance or method which was prohibited at the time of use.

If it is determined that you are a National-Level Athlete, the following Athletes are considered to be National-Level Athletes:

• Athletes who are members or license-holders of any National Federation in India, or of any member or affiliate organization of any National Federation in India (including any clubs, teams, associations, or leagues);
• Athletes who participate or compete in any Events, Competitions, and other activities organized, recognized or hosted by any National Federation in India, or by any member or affiliate organization of any National Federation in India (including any clubs, teams, associations or leagues), or the Government of India, wherever held;
• Athletes who, by virtue of an accreditation, a license or any other contractual arrangement, fall within the competence of any National Federation in India, or of any member or affiliate organization of any National Federation in India (including any clubs, teams, associations or leagues), for purposes of anti-doping; and
• Athletes who participate in any activity organized, recognized or hosted by the organizer of a National Event or any other national league and which are not otherwise affiliated with a National Federation.
• 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 NADA India 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.

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 whatever substance or method you are prescribed. If the substance or method is prohibited, discuss non-prohibited alternatives. If there are none, apply for a TUE. Remember athletes have the ultimate responsibility. Contact NADA India if you are having difficulties.

Prohibited List

Then, contact NADA India to determine your competition level and TUE application requirements.

You may only apply retroactively for a TUE to NADA India 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.
• As per our anti-doping rules (NADA ADR 2021) you were not permitted or required to apply in advance for a TUE.
• You are a lower level athlete who is not under the jurisdiction of an International Federation or National Anti-Doping Organization and were tested.
• You tested positive after using a substance Out-of-Competition that was 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 NADA India’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.

NADA India encourages athletes to submit TUE applications via ADAMS, together with the required medical file. If you do not have an ADAMS account yet, please contact National Anti Doping Agency, Hall 103-104, First Floor, JLN Stadium Complex, Gate no. 10, New Delhi-110003, Phone: 011-24368274.

tue-nadaindia@gov.in

Otherwise, please download the NADA India TUE Application Form and, once duly completed and signed, send it together with the required medical file to National Anti Doping Agency, Hall 103-104, First Floor, JLN Stadium Complex, Gate no. 10, New Delhi-110003, Phone: 011-24368274.

TUE Application Form

info.nada@nic.in

Your TUE application must be submitted in a legible form using capital letters or typing.

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, consult WADA’s Checklists for TUE applications, and Medical Information to Support the Decisions of TUECs.

Checklists for TUE applications

Medical Information to Support the Decisions of TUECs

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.

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 NADA India and you will be competing at a Major Event, for example the Olympic Games, you should contact the MEO for information on their recognition process.

NADA India’s TUEC must render a decision as soon as possible, and usually within 21 days from the date of receipt of the complete TUE application, including the required medical information.

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 shall 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 NADA India, as you may be required to apply for a new TUE. Some substances and dosages, for example 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.

A decision to deny a TUE application includes a written explanation of the reason(s) for the denial. If it is not clear to you, please contact NADA India to understand exactly why the TUE was denied. Sometimes a critical piece of information, diagnostic test or laboratory result may be missing. In that case, you should re-apply. Otherwise, you may appeal the denial decision as follows.

In case of denial of a TUE application, a national-level athlete may appeal within 21 days to the Chairman, Anti Doping Appeal Panel, Entry Gate No. 10, Staircase No. 5, JLN Stadium Complex, New Delhi-110003.

Antidoping-panel@gov.in

You or NADA India have 21 days to refer the matter to WADA for review after notification of the non-recognition. You should send the same information that you submitted to NADA India, and on which their TUEC based their decision, via a secure online 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

Pending WADA’s decision, NADA India’s TUE remains valid for national-level competition and out-of-competition testing only. If the matter is not referred to WADA for review, NADA India must determine whether the original TUE that was granted should remain valid for national-level Competition and Out-of-Competition Testing.

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 TUE process and in the NADA India TUE Application Form. All members of the TUEC and any other authorized recipients of your TUE request and related information are subject to a professional or contractual confidentiality obligation.

TUE Application Form

Please review the terms of the Athlete’s Declaration carefully. In particular, should you wish to revoke the right of the NADA India TUEC to obtain the information related to your TUE request in accordance with the Athlete’s Declaration, your TUE application will be deemed withdrawn without approval being granted.

Your TUE request-related information will be retained by NADA India 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.

For any further information and questions in relation to NADA India’s personal information practices, please contact National Anti Doping Agency, Hall 103-104, First Floor, JLN Stadium Complex, Gate no. 10, New Delhi-110003, Phone: 011-24368274.

data-pvyofficer-nada@nic.in

If you have a doubt as to which organization you should apply to for a TUE, or as to the recognition process, or any other question about TUEs, please contact:

Dr. Ankush Gupta

Senior Project Officer

tue-nadaindia@gov.in

Contact No.: 011-24368274

Data Privacy Officer

Dr. Sonika Sethi

Senior Scientific Officer

data-pvyofficer-nada@nic.in

Contact No.: 011-24368274

NADA Anti Doping Rules 2021

WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE)

WADA Checklists for TUE Applications

WADA Guidelines for the 2021 ISTUE

WADA Anti-Doping Education and Learning (ADEL)

WADA International Standard for Protection of Privacy and Personal Information (ISPPPI)