THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION

  
What is a Therapeutic Use Exemption?

Riders, like all others, may have illnesses or injuries which require them to take particular medications. If the medication which you need to treat an illness or medical condition is included in the Prohibited List, you must apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) if you wish to take the medication.  After the UCI Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee has reviewed the application, you may be given authorization to take the needed medicine.
 
Which riders should apply to the UCI for a TUE?

• If you are included in the UCI International Registered Testing Pool  (RTP), you must apply for a TUE directly from the UCI through ADAMS. Click here to check whether you are included in the UCI RTP.
• If you are included in the UCI RTP and you already have a TUE from your National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO), from 1 January 2009 you must apply directly to the UCI for a TUE through ADAMS. Your national TUE is not valid if you are in the UCI RTP. 
• If you are not included in the UCI Registered Testing Pool you must request a TUE from your National Anti-Doping Organisation.  Your National Cycling Federation can help you locate your NADO.  If your country does not have a NADO, the UCI will consider your TUE application. 
• If you intend to compete in an event listed on the UCI International Calendar, but are not in the UCI Registered Testing Pool, you should send a copy of any TUE provided by your NADO to the UCI.  The UCI will review the TUE provided by your NADO. You will be advised only if the UCI does not consider the TUE provided by your NADO as valid under UCI Rules.

Note:

The UCI does not designate a list of International Events for which participants must request a TUE directly from the UCI.  The UCI only requires riders who are included in the International Registered Testing Pool to seek their TUEs from the UCI.  Riders who compete in an international event who are not in the UCI RTP should send any TUEs granted by their NADO to the UCI for review, prior to the international competition in which they intend to compete.
 
Abbreviated TUEs  (ATUE)

As from 1 January 2009, Abbreviated TUE application forms are no longer being used by any sporting organisations.  If you have an existing ATUE which was completed before 1 January 2009, it remains valid until the earliest of the following dates:

• The expiration of the current ATUE;
• 31 December 2009. 

If your ATUE has expired, you must follow the guidelines below. 

IF YOU NEED TO USE GLUCOCORTICOSTEROIDS

The type of documentation you must submit for the use of Glucocorticosteroids depends on the “route of administration” (how you administer or take the medication)

1. AUTHORIZED ROUTES OF ADMINISTRATION:

You do not need to submit any documentation if you take Glucocorticosteroids by the following routes:

• Dermatological – on the skin;
• Auricular -  in or on the ear; 
• Buccal – inside the mouth (without swallowing); 
• Gingival - on the gums ; 
• Nasal - inside the nose, either by topical application or nasal spray; 
• Ophthalmic – on or in the eye; 
• Perianal – on or around the anus.

2. LOCAL ADMINISTRATION:

You must complete a Declaration of Use form if you take Glucocorticosteroids by any of the following non-systemic routes:

• Inhalation – through the mouth via an inhaler or “puffer”; 
• Intradermal injection – into the skin ; 
• Epidural injection – into the spine ; 
• Intra-articular injection – into a joint capsule; 
• Periarticular injection – around a joint; 
• Peritendinous injection – around a tendon.

3. SYSTEMIC ADMINISTRATION:

You must complete a full TUE application if you take glucocorticosteroids by any of the following systemic routes:

• Orally – through the mouth, usually in the form of pills or tablets 
• Intravenous injection – injected into a vein 
• Intramuscular injection – injected straight into a muscle 
• Rectally – into the rectum usually in the form of a suppository or rectal application of a cream.

IF YOU NEED TO USE BETA-2 AGONISTS FOR ASTHMA

The type of documentation you must submit for the use of Beta-2 Agonists for Asthma depends on the “drug” which is used to treat your asthma. Please pay attention to the substance which is included in your inhaler!

1. SALBUTAMOL / SALMETEROL: You must complete a Declaration of Use form if you take inhaled Salbutamol and/or Salmeterol.  

2. FORMOTEROL / TERBUTALINE:

If you take Formoterol and/or Terbutaline for the treatment of asthma, you must submit a TUE for Asthma and a full medical file to confirm the diagnosis of asthma and/or it’s clinical variants.  The medical file should include:

• A detailed medical history and clinical review 
• Lung function test with spirometry 
• Bronchodilator response 
• Bronchial provocation tests

To assist your doctor in completing the correct tests, and providing the correct medical information, we suggest that he or she consults the WADA Guidelines on Asthma clicking here.

If the TUE for Asthma is completed correctly with valid test results, the UCI TUE Committee may grant an approval for up to 4 years.

 
IF YOU NEED TO USE PLATELET-DERIVED PREPARATIONS (E.G. PLATELET RICH PLASMA, “BLOOD SPINNING”)

The type of documentation you must submit for the use of Platelet-derived preparations depends on the “route of administration” (how you administer or take the medication)

1. NON INTRAMUSCULAR ADMINISTRATION: You must complete a Declaration of Use form if you take Platelet-derived preparations by other routes of administration than intramuscular route.

2. INTRAMUSCULAR ADMINISTRATION: You must submit a full TUE application if you take Platelet-derived preparations by intramuscular route.

IF YOU NEED TO TAKE ANY OTHER MEDICATIONS

If you wish to apply for the therapeutic use of any other substance or method which is included in the Prohibited List, you must complete a full TUE application form and attach a complete medical file. 

To assist your doctor in attaching the correct medical documentation we suggest that you access the WADA website to obtain guidelines on the medical information required to support several common medical conditions cliking here.  

 
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

If you are included in the UCI International Registered Testing Pool  (RTP), your TUE application or Declaration of Use must be submitted via ADAMS.

If you are a rider whose doctor has a medical ADAMS account, your team doctor can undertake this task on your behalf through ADAMS.

If all of the required information is attached to your submission in ADAMS you do not need to print off the file and send it signed to the UCI.

If you are an athlete or a doctor having a medical access to ADAMS, click here to download the ADAMS TUE User Guide.

If you do not have access to ADAMS, please request an ADAMS user account from adams@uci.ch 

All TUE applications must be submitted in legible French or English. Written medical reports must also be submitted in legible French or English, although results of tests may be in the original language.

All TUE applications must be received by the UCI at least 21 days before medication is commenced.

Applications may be received by the UCI by the following means:

By email:   medical@uci.ch

By fax:    +41 24 468 59 48

By post:   Dr Mario Zorzoli

UCI

Chemin de la Melée 

CH - 1820 Aigle