Union internationale motonautique

       THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTIONS       

WHAT IS A THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION (TUE)? 

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).

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR GRANTING A TUE ?

All of the four following criteria must be met (for more details, please refer to the WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (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 a consequence of the prior use (without a TUE), of a substance or method which was prohibited at the time of use.

 WHO SHOULD APPLY FOR A TUE TO THE UIM, WHERE AND WHEN ?

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 UIM 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.

Or ask your National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) if it has one (the list of NADOs is available at https://www.wada-ama.org/en/code-signatories#GovernmentFundedOrganizations). 

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 the substance/method you are prescribed. If the   substance/method is prohibited, discuss non-prohibited alternatives, if there are none, apply for a TUE.  Remember Athletes have the ultimate responsibility. Contact your NADO or UIM if you are having difficulties.

Then, check your status below, to determine your competition level and TUE application requirements:

International-Level Athletes (Pilots/Drivers) Definition

(a) Pilots/Drivers taking part in any competition registered on the UIM International Sporting Calendar, which is published at the following link: https://www.uim.sport/CalendarList.aspx;

(b) Drivers included in the UIM Registered Testing Pool, the UIM Testing Pool or any other Pool established by the UIM.

==> If it is determined that you are an International-Level Athlete (Pilots/Drivers) "see definition here above" you must apply to UIM in advance, as soon as the need arises, unless there are emergency or exceptional circumstances.

For substances prohibited in-competition only, you should apply for a TUE at least 30 days before your next competition, unless one of the exceptions on retroactive TUEs (see below) apply.

Please refer to the section “How to apply to UIM for a TUE?” below.

If you already have a TUE granted by any National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) for any substaces, the UIM may automatically recognize it with the need to review it from the UIM TUEC, 

Please refer to the section "How to submit a request for recognition of your Nado's TUE to the UIM")

Please notify UIM that you have a TUE granted by your NADO, even if UIM automatically recognize it !

==> If you are NOT an International-Level Athlete (Pilots/Drivers) and you have been tested by UIM, the UIM recognizes a valid TUE granted by your NADO (please refer to the section "How to submit a request for recognition of your Nado's TUE to the UIM") unless you are required to apply for recognition of the TUE because you are competing in an international event.

If you are also not a National-Level Athlete as defined by your NADO, you must apply for a retroactive TUE after being tested by the UIM.

CAN I GET A RETROACTIVE TUE?

HOW TO APPLY TO THE UIM FOR THE TUE ? 

The UIM encourages TUE applications to be submitted via ADAMS please follow the link here below, together with the required medical information. If you do not have an ADAMS account yet, contact antidoping@uim.sport to set one up.

https://www.wada-ama.org/en/athletes-support-personnel/therapeutic-use-exemptions-tues

 Alternatively, download the UIM’s TUE Application Form and once duly completed and signed, send it together with the required medical file to antidoping@uim.sport.

Your TUE application must be submitted in legible capital letters or completed electronically.

The medical file must include:

• A comprehensive medical history, including documentation from the original diagnosing doctor(s) (where possible);
• The results of all examinations, laboratory investigations and imaging studies relevant to the application.

Any costs incurred by the Pilot/Driver in relation to the TUE application and in order to supplement it as required by the TUEC are the responsibility of the Pilot/Driver.

Any TUE application that is not complete or legible will be returned for completion and re-submission.

To assist you and your doctor in providing the correct medical documentation, we suggest consulting 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.

 HOW TO SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR RECOGNITION OF YOUR NADO'S TUE TO THE UIM ? 

The UIM's TUEC may automatically recognise your NADO TUE (even if it is not insert to ADAMS) for purposes of international-level competition with the need to review the relevant clinical information. Nevertheless, please inform us when you make an application for a NADO TUE (that will be not inserted into ADAMS).

You can download your TUE certificate directly from ADAMS.

WHAT HAPPENS AT MAJOR EVENTS ?

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 UIM and you will be competing at a Major Event e.g., the Olympic Games, you should contact the MEO for information on their recognition process

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE A DECISION ON MY TUE APPLICATION (OR REQUEST FOR RECOGNITION) ?

The UIM’s TUEC’s decision will be communicated in writing to you within 21 days from the date of receipt of the complete TUE application [or request for recognition], including the required medical information.

WHAT IF I NEED TO RENEW MY TUE ?

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 must be consistent with the terms of your TUE. Therefore, if you require a materially different dosage, frequency, routeor duration of administration, you should contact us, as you may be required to apply for a new TUE. Some substances and dosages, e.g. insulin, are often modified during treatment and these possible fluctuations should be mentioned by the treating doctor in the TUE application and are typically accepted by the UIM's TUEC. 

WHAT IF MY UIM'S TUE APPLICATION IS DENIED ?

A decision to deny a TUE application will include a written explanation of the reason(s) for the denial. If it is not clear to you, please contact us to understand exactly why the TUE was denied. Sometimes, there may be a critical piece of information, diagnostic test, laboratory results, etc. missing. In which case, you should resubmit your application. 

You and/or your NADO may refer the matter to WADA for review no later than 21 days after notification of the UIM's TUEC decision. You should send the same information that you submitted to us, and on which the decision to deny the TUE was based, via a secure online method or by registered post to:

The email address to enquire and/or send the request for review is: medical@wada-ama.org

Please note that WADA is not obliged to proceed with a request for a review. In that case, you and/or your NADO may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

WHAT IF MY NADO'S TUE IS NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE UIM ? 

You and/or your NADO have 21 days from the date of decision to refer the matter to WADA for review. The email address to enquire and/or send the request for review is: medical@wada-ama.org.

Alternatively, you may send it to: 

The same information that was provided to your NADO should be submitted to WADA. Please use a secure online method unless sending by registered post. 

Pending WADA’s decision, your NADO TUE remains valid for national-level competition and out-of-competition testing only.

If the matter is not referred to WADA for review, your NADO must determine whether the original TUE that was granted should remain valid for national-level competition and out-of-competition testing. 

WILL MY MEDICAL INFORMATION BE TREATED IN A CONFIDENTIAL MANNER ?

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 ADAMS TUE and in the TUE application form which can be found here. All members of the TUEC and any other authorised recipients of your TUE request and related information (as described in the Athlete’s Declaration) are subject to a professional or contractual confidentiality obligation.

Please review the terms of the Athlete’s Declaration carefully. In particular, note that should you wish to revoke the right of the UIM's TUEC to obtain the information related to your TUE in accordance with the Athlete’s Declaration, your TUE application will be deemed withdrawn without approval (or recognition) being granted.

Information related to your TUE request will be retained by the UIM's TUEC and any other authorised 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.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For any further information and questions in relation to UIM’s personal information practices, please contact the UIM Anti-Doping Administrator at antidoping@uim.sport.

If you have a doubt as regards to which organization you should apply for a TUE, or as to the recognition process, or any other question with regard to TUEs, please contact the UIM Anti-Doping Administrator at antidoping@uim.sport.

OTHER USEFUL LINKS

WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE)

 WADA Contact form

WADA Checklists for TUE Applications

WADA Anti-Doping Education and Learning (ADEL)