Athletes may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take medications or undergo procedures. If the medication or method an athleteis required to useto treat anillness or condition is prohibited as per the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List, a TUE may givethat 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). NADO TUEs are only valid for national-level Competition and Out-of-Competition Testing.
All of the fourfollowing criteria must be met (for more details, please refer to the WADA International Standard forTherapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE) Article 4.2):
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 Drug Free Sport Fiji 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.
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 whatever 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 Drug Free Sport Fiji if you are having difficulties.
Then, contact DrugFree Sport Fiji to determine your competition level and TUE application requirements.
If it is determined that you are a National-Level Athlete, National athletes representing FIJI to regional, international and world championships you must apply to Drug Free Sport Fiji 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. Please refer to the section “How to apply to Drug Free Sport Fiji for a TUE below.
If your level is lower than the “National-Level” as defined above, District and club athletes competing in domestic and national competitions, you are entitled to apply for a retroactive TUE after being tested by Drug Free Sport Fiji or any otherAnti-Doping Organization (ADO).
A TUE granted by Drug Free Sport Fiji is only valid at the national level. If you are, or become an International-Level Athlete, or compete at Major Games, that TUE will not be valid unless it is recognized by the relevant International Federation (IF) orMajor Event Organization (MEO). It is your responsibility to check if your Drug Free Sport Fiji’s TUE is automatically recognized by such IF or MEO.
Drug Free Sport Fiji can assist you in the determination of your level and TUE application requirements, and, should the need occur, assist you in presenting your Drug Free Sport Fiji’s TUE to an IF or MEO for recognition. Please contact Dr Jone NASOME, Fiji Association of Sports and National OlympicCommittee Medical Commission on 9298603 or nasome6@gmail.com
You may only apply retroactively for a TUE to Drug Free Sport Fiji if:
In rare and exceptional circumstances and not withstanding any other provision in the ISTUE, you may apply for and be granted retroactive approval for a therapeutic use of a prohibited substance or method, if considering the purpose of the Code, it would be manifestly unfair not to grant a retroactive TUE.
This unique retroactiveTUE will only be granted with the prior approval of WADA (and WADA may in its absolute discretion agree with or reject the Drug Free Sport Fiji’s decision).
Using a prohibited substance or method without a TUE could result in an Anti-Doping RuleViolation.
In case an application for a retroactive TUE is necessary following sample collection, you are strongly advised to have a medical file prepared and ready to submit for evaluation.
ADAMS/Paper Format/ Electronic TUE Form
Drug Free Sport Fiji encourages to submit TUE applications via ADAMS, together with the required medical file.If you do not have an ADAMS account yet, please contact Fatafehi DAUNIVUKA, 9200784 or fatafehi@oceanianoc.org to have it set up.
Otherwise, please download the Drug Free Sport Fiji’s TUE Application Form and once duly completed and signed, send it together with the required medical file to Fatafehi DAUNIVUKA, 9200784 or fatafehi@oceanianoc.org.
Your TUE application must be submitted in a legible form using capital letters or typing.
The medical file must include:
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 doctor in providing the correct medical documentation, we suggest consulting the WADA’s Checklists for TUE applications for guidance and support during the TUE application process, and TUE Physician Guidelines 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.
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 Drug Free Sport Fiji and you will be competing at a Major Event e.g., the OlympicGames, you should contact the MEO for information on their recognition process.
Drug Free Sport Fiji’s TUEC’s must render a decision as soon as possible, and usually within 21 days from the date of receipt of the complete TUE application, including the required medical information.
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.
The presence (following sample collection), use, possession or administration of the prohibited substance or method shall be consistent with the terms of your TUE. Therefore, if you require a materially different dosage, frequency, route or duration of administration, you should contact Drug Free Sport Fiji, 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 physician in the TUE application and would usually be accepted by the ADO TUEC.
A decision to deny a TUE application includes a written explanation of the reason(s) for the denial. If it is not clear to you, please contact Drug Free Sport Fiji to understand exactly why the TUE was denied. Sometimes, there may be a critical piece of information, diagnostic test, laboratory results missing, etc. In which case, you should re-apply to us. Otherwise, you may appeal the denial decision as follows:
An athlete may appeal to the Drug Free Sport Fiji Anti-Doping Panel in accordance with WADC International Standards for Results Management.
DRUG FREE SPORT FIJI ANTI-DOPING RULES JANUARY 1, 2021 Articles 4.4, 13.2.2,13.2.3.2, 13.3 and 13.4 referenced and applicable
You or Drug Free Sport Fiji have 21 days to refer the matter to WADA for review after notification of the non-recognition. You should send the same information that you submitted to Drug Free Sport Fiji, and on which their TUEC based their decision, via a secure on-line method or by registered mail at:
WADA Medical Department
World Anti-Doping Agency
Stock Exchange Tower
800 Place Victoria (Suite 1700)
P.O. Box 120
Montreal (Quebec) H4Z 1B7
Canada
The email address to enquire and/or send the request for review is: medical@wada-ama.org
Pending WADA’s decision, Drug Free Sport Fiji’s TUE remains valid for national-level competition and out-of-competition testing only. If the matter is not referred to WADA for review, Drug Free Sport Fiji must determine whether the originalTUE that was granted should remain valid for national-level Competition andOut-of-Competition Testing.
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 process and in the Drug Free Sport Fiji’s TUEApplication Form https://www.oceanianoc.org/partners/orado or https://www.orado.org/programmes/doping-control.All members of the TUEC and any other authorized 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 Drug Free Sport Fiji’s TUEC to obtain the information related to your TUE request in accordance with the Athlete’sDeclaration, your TUE application will be deemed withdrawn without approval being granted.
Your TUE request-related information will be retained by Drug Free Sport Fiji and any other authorized 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.
For any further information andquestions in relation to Drug Free Sport Fiji’s personal information practices, please contact Fatafehi DAUNIVUKA, 9200784 or fatafehi@oceanianoc.org.
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 concerning TUEs, please contact: Fatafehi DAUNIVUKA, 9200784 or fatafehi@oceanianoc.org.