Therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs) are available for pétanque and boule sports but must be requested in advance.
Download the WPBF-FMBP TUE application form (click on the logo).
https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/tue_application_form_-_electronic_version.docx
Athlete Therapeutic Use Exemption process for our International Federation (WPBF-FMBP)
What is a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) ?
Athletes may have a medical condition that requires them to take medication or undergo certain procedures. If the medication or method that an athlete must use to treat a particular condition is prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) Prohibited List, a TUE may allow the athlete to use that substance or method while participating in athletic competition without committing an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) or incurring any applicable sanction. TUE applications are assessed by a committee of doctors known as the Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee (TUEC).
What are the criteria for granting a TUE ?
All four of the following criteria must be met (for more information, please refer to article 4.2 of WADA's International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE)):
♦ The Athlete has been diagnosed with a medical condition that requires treatment with a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method.
♦ The use of the substance for therapeutic purposes will not, on a balance of probabilities, result in a significant increase in performance beyond that which would be achieved by returning the athlete to a state of normal health.
♦ The Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method is an indicated treatment for the medical condition and there is no reasonable, authorized therapeutic alternative.
♦ The need to use the substance or method is not a consequence of prior Use (without a TUE) of a substance or method that was prohibited at the time of Use.
Who should apply for a TUE ? Where and when should I apply for one ?
Athletes who are subject to anti-doping rules need a TUE to use a prohibited substance or a prohibited method. You should check with the WPBF (FMBP) to find out who to send the application to and whether it is possible to apply for a TUE retroactively.
First of all, check whether the drug or method you intend to take or use is prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List.
You can also consult an online medicines database or ask your national anti-doping organisation (NADO) if it has one.
It is your responsibility to inform your doctor that you are an athlete subject to anti-doping rules. You and your doctor must check whether the substance or method prescribed is on the Prohibited List. If it is, consider options that are not prohibited; if there are none, apply for a TUE. Remember, this is ultimately the athlete's responsibility. Contact your NADO or the WPBF if you have any difficulties.
Then contact the WPBF-FMBP to determine your level of competition and TUE application requirements.
If it is determined that you are an international-level athlete (athlete competing in Continental or Intercontinental competitions) you must submit your TUE application to the WPBF-FMBP in advance, as soon as the need arises, unless there is an emergency or exceptional circumstances.
In the case of substances prohibited only in competition, you must apply for a TUE at least 30 days before your next competition, unless one of the exceptions on retroactive TUEs (see below) applies.
Please see ‘How to apply for a TUE from the WPBF-FMBP’ below.
If you already hold a TUE issued by your NADO :
♦ Your NADO's TUE is only valid nationally, and you must submit an application for recognition of your TUE to the WPBF-FMBP. Please refer to the section ‘How to submit an application for recognition of my NADO's TUE to the WPBF-FMBP’ below.
♦ If you are NOT an international-level athlete and you have been tested by the WPBF-FMBP, the WPBF-FMBP will recognise a valid TUE granted by your NADO (i.e. it meets the IATTC criteria for granting a TUE), unless you are required to apply for recognition of the TUE in order to compete in an international event.
♦ If you are NOT a national-level athlete as defined by your NADO and you have been tested by the WPBF, you must apply to the WPBF for a retroactive TUE.
CAN I OBTAIN A RETROACTIVE TUE ?
You can only apply to the WPBF-FMBP for a retroactive TUE in the following cases:
♦ You needed emergency treatment for a medical condition.
♦ There was insufficient time to submit a TUE application, you did not have the opportunity to do so or other exceptional circumstances prevented you from submitting a TUE application or having it evaluated before being tested.
♦ You are a lower-level athlete who does not fall under the jurisdiction of the WPBF-FMBP or a NADO and have been tested.
♦ You have tested positive for the use of an out-of-competition substance that is prohibited only in-competition (e.g. glucocorticoids).
In rare and exceptional cases, and notwithstanding any other provision of the AIAUT, you may apply for and obtain retroactive approval for the therapeutic use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method if, given the purpose of the Code, it would be manifestly unfair if the retroactive TUE were not granted.
This one-off retroactive TUE will only be granted with the prior approval of WADA (and WADA may, at its sole discretion, accept or reject the decision of the WPBF-FMBP).
Important note:
Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method without a TUE could result in a RAD.
If a retroactive TUE application is required following a sample collection, we strongly advise you to prepare a medical file to be submitted for evaluation.
How do I apply for a TUE from the WPBF-FMBP ?
The WPBF-FMBP] encourages you to submit TUE applications using ADAMS, along with the required medical information. If you do not yet have an ADAMS account, please contact [insert applicable contact details] to set one up for you.
Alternatively, please download the WPBF TUE application form and, after completing and signing it, send it together with the required medical file to [insert applicable contact details].
Your TUE application must be written in legible capital letters or block letters.
The medical file must include :
• A complete medical history, including documentation from the physician(s) who made the original diagnosis (if available);
• Results of all examinations, laboratory tests and imaging studies relevant to the claim.
[Insert details of costs relating to the TUE application, i.e. to be borne by the athlete, including any additional medical examinations, tests or imaging studies, etc.].
Incomplete or illegible TUE applications will not be processed and will be returned for completion and resubmission.
To assist you and your physician in providing the appropriate medical documentation, we suggest that you consult WADA's TUE Checklists for advice and assistance, and the TUE Guidelines for Physicians, for advice on common medical conditions, certain treatments and substances, etc.
Keep a copy of the TUE application form and all medical information submitted in support of your application, as well as proof of submission.
HOW DO I SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR RECOGNITION OF MY NADO'S TUE TO THE WPBF-FMBP ?
Your request for recognition must be submitted to the WPBF-FMBP in writing and must indicate the TUE reference number in ADAMS.
Keep a copy of the proof of submission of your request for recognition to the WPBF-FMBP.
WHAT HAPPENS AT MAJOR EVENTS ?
An organisation responsible for major events requires athletes to apply for recognition of their TUE if they wish to use a prohibited substance or method in the context of the event in question.
If you have a TUE granted by the WPBF-FMBP and will be competing in a major event, such as the Olympic Games, you should contact the major events organisation for information on their recognition process.
WHEN WILL I RECEIVE THE DECISION REGARDING MY TUE APPLICATION [OR REQUEST FOR RECOGNITION] ?
The WPBF TUEC must render a decision as soon as possible, usually within 21 days from the date of receipt of the duly completed TUE application [or application for recognition].
WHAT IF I NEED TO RENEW MY TUE ?
The duration of each TUE varies, after which it expires automatically. If you need to continue using the prohibited substance or method, it is your responsibility to submit a new TUE application with updated medical information before the expiry date, so that a decision can be made before the current TUE expires.
Important note:
The presence (following sample collection), use, possession or administration of the prohibited substance or method must be in accordance with the conditions of your TUE. Consequently, if you require a dosage, frequency, route or duration of administration that differs significantly from that indicated in your TUE, you must contact the WPBF-FMBP, as you may be required to submit a new TUE application. Certain dosages and substances, such as insulin, are often subject to changes during treatment; any such changes must be mentioned by the attending physician in the TUE application and will generally be accepted by the TUEC of the anti-doping organisation.
WHAT IF MY TUE APPLICATION TO the WPBF-FMBP IS REFUSED ?
Any refusal of a TUE application is accompanied by a written explanation of the reasons for the decision. If the explanation is unclear to you, please contact the WPBF-FMBP] to understand exactly why the TUE was denied. Sometimes an important piece of information, a diagnostic test, laboratory results, etc. is missing. In these cases, the application must be resubmitted.
You or your NADO may submit the file to WADA for review within a maximum of 21 days following notification of the decision rendered by the TUEC of the [WPBF-FMBP]. You must send the same information that you submitted to us and that led to the refusal of the TUE, via a secure online method or by registered mail to the following address
WADA Medical Department
World Anti-Doping Agency
Stock Exchange Tower
800 Victoria Square, Suite 1700
C. P. 120
Montreal, Quebec H4Z 1B7
Canada
The email address to use for questions or to send the request for review is:
Please note that WADA is not obliged to accept a request for review. If the request is refused, you or your NADO may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
WHAT IF MY NADO'S TUE IS NOT RECOGNISED BY the WPBF-FMBP ?
You or your NADO have 21 days from the date of the decision to submit the file to WADA for review. The e-mail address to use to ask questions or send the request for review is
WADA Medical Department
World Anti-Doping Agency
Stock Exchange Tower
800 Victoria Square, Suite 1700
C. P. 120
Montreal, Quebec H4Z 1B7
Canada
You must submit the same information to the AMA that you provided to your NADO. Be sure to use a secure online method if you are not sending it by registered mail.
Pending WADA's decision, your NADO's TUE remains valid for national-level competition testing and out-of-competition testing only.
If the matter is not submitted to WADA for review, your NADO must determine whether the TUE originally granted should remain valid for national-level competition testing and out-of-competition testing.
Will my medical information be treated confidentially ?
All the content of a TUE application, including supporting medical information and any other information associated with the evaluation of your TUE application, remains strictly confidential and is treated in accordance with the athlete declaration contained in the ADAMS TUE process and in the WPBF TUE application form [Insert link to a personalised version of the WADA TUE application form]. All members of the TUEC and other authorised recipients of your TUE application and related information (as specified in the athlete declaration) are subject to professional secrecy or a contractual obligation of confidentiality.
Please read the terms of the athlete declaration carefully. In particular, please note that if you wish to revoke the right of the WPBF TUEC to obtain information associated with your TUE, in accordance with the athlete declaration, WADA will consider your TUE application withdrawn without approval [or recognition] having been granted.
The WPBF-FMBP and any other authorised recipient will not retain information related to your TUE application longer than is necessary for the purposes described in the athlete declaration, in accordance with the International Standard for the Protection of Privacy and Personal Information.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or require further information about the personal information management practices of the WPBF-FMBP, please contact [insert contact details of the FI Data Protection Officer].
If you have any doubts about the body to which you should submit a TUE application or about the recognition process, or if you have any other questions about TUEs, please contact : [Insert applicable contact details].
Other useful links
WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE)
WADA Guidelines for the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE)