WHAT IS A THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION?
Players may need medical treatment. In particular, they may have illnesses or health conditions that require them to take medications or undergo medical procedures. If the medication or method a player is required to use to treat or diagnose an illness or condition is prohibited as per the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) may give that player the authorization to use that substance or method while competing without leading to an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) and applicable sanction.
Before taking any medication, a player must check the status on the List or with your anti-doping organization (ADO). If the substance is prohibited, the player will need to follow the process to apply for a TUE.
A TUE ensures that players can be treated for medical conditions - even if the treatment involves using a prohibited substance or method – while avoiding the risk of being sanctioned. A TUE allows you to use the medication or method as it will not afford you a competitive advantage but rather ensure you can compete in a proper state of health. Applications for TUEs are evaluated by a panel of physicians, the FIBA TUE Committee (TUEC).
HOW TO APPLY TO FIBA FOR A TUE?
Your TUE application must be submitted in legible capital letters or, preferably, typing and once duly completed and signed, submit as per the instructions on the form (see the very last page).
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 physician in providing the correct medical documentation, we suggest consulting the WADA’s Checklists for TUE applications for guidance and support, and Medical Information to Support the Decisions of TUECs 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.
Please scroll across to see the answers to the frequently asked questions in relation to a TUE:
WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR GRANTING A TUE?
All of the four following criteria must be met (for the full details of the criteria, please refer to the WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE) Article 4.2):
The player has a clear diagnosed medical condition that 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 player’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.