WADA Executive Committee Approves 2010 Prohibited List

IPC

At its meeting last week, WADA’s Executive Committee approved the List of Prohibited Substances and Methods for 2010. The new List will now be officialized and published on WADA’s website by 1 October 2009. It will take effect on 1 January 2010.

The Prohibited List is one of the cornerstones of the harmonized fight against doping. It specifies substances and methods prohibited in sport. Its implementation is mandatory for organizations that have adopted the World Anti-Doping Code.

“The annual revision of the List is an elaborate and dynamic process involving international scientific experts and the solicitation of input from stakeholders so that changes are founded on expanding anti-doping knowledge, evidence from the field, and constantly growing understanding of doping practices and trends,” said WADA’s President John Fahey. “This process is highly consultative and WADA’s role is one of facilitation. I am satisfied that, once again, the 2010 List reflects the latest scientific advances.”

The development of the List begins with the circulation of a draft to stakeholders for comment. Comments received are considered by WADA’s List Committee, who then presents its conclusions to WADA’s Health, Medical and Research Committee. The latter in turn submits its final recommendations to the Executive Committee, who discusses the recommendations and makes a final decision at its September meeting.

Change of Status for Salbutamol

The 2010 List offers a number of changes compared to the 2009 List. In particular, the status of salbutamol, a beta-2 agonist, will change. Salbutamol – a substance considered as specified and therefore more likely to result in a sanction of a warning to a two-year ban in case of anti-doping rule violations – will be permitted under 1,000 nanograms per millilitre. Under the 2010 List, its use by inhalation will no longer require a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) but rather a simplified declaration of use. This measure will allow the handling of salbutamol by anti-doping organizations in a more cost-efficient way.

In addition, the 2010 List will no longer prohibit supplemental oxygen (hyperoxia). The status of platelet-derived preparations (e.g. Platelet Rich Plasma, “blood spinning”) has also been clarified. These preparations will be prohibited when administered by intramuscular route. Other routes of administration will require a declaration of use in compliance with the International Standard for TUEs.

Pseudoephedrine Reintroduced

Another noteworthy amendment is the reintroduction of pseudoephedrine to the List as a specified stimulant – a category of substances that is more likely to result in a sanction of a warning to a two-year ban in case of anti-doping rule violations.

Until 2003, pseudoephedrine was prohibited in sport. Pseudoephedrine was subsequently included in WADA’s Monitoring Programme in 2004. The Monitoring Programme includes substances that are not prohibited in sport but are monitored in order to detect patterns of misuse.

Results of the Monitoring Programme over the past five years have shown a sustained increase in samples containing pseudoephedrine concentrations of more than 75 milligrams per millilitre. The Programme indicated clear abuse of this substance with high concentrations in a number of sports and regions. In addition, available literature shows scientific evidence of the performance-enhancing effects of pseudoephedrine beyond certain doses.

Based on literature and results of controlled excretion studies funded by WADA, pseudoephedrine will therefore be reintroduced in the List starting on 1 January 2010, with a urinary threshold of 150 milligrams per millilitre. Given the wide availability of medicines containing pseudoephedrine, WADA’s Scientific Committees and Executive Committee recommended that the reintroduction of pseudoephedrine be accompanied by information and education campaigns by WADA’s stakeholders.

For more information, please visit the official website at www.wada-ama.org.