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Anti-Doping Update: December 2009
Chairman's message
With the beginning of 2010 just around the corner, there are some changes in the anti-doping world that you need to know about. The first of particular note is that the new Prohibited List has been released, and will come into effect on 1 January 2010.
On another note, I’m really pleased about ASADA’s new website. If you’ve not yet seen it, visit www.asada.gov.au. Some of the feedback we received from athletes and support personnel in June this year was that information on the old website could be a bit tricky to find. So we’ve taken that on board, and have created a new website, that is interactive and very easy to navigate.
The best part of our new website is the new tool that allows you to check your substances online. It’s so easy now to find out if your medication or substances are permitted or prohibited in sport. Just visit www.asada.gov.au and select ‘check your substances’. Always make sure you keep your session receipt as proof that you did your research before taking any medications.
If you’re traveling overseas, try to take your medications with you, but if you have to buy medications overseas, make sure you check the status with the local anti-doping agency or online . We can only provide advice on Australian medications.
Another change for ASADA on 1 January is that our governance arrangements will be strengthened with the passing by Parliament of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment Act.
The amendments to the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Act 2006 (ASADA Act) ensure that ASADA will continue to deliver a world-leading anti-doping program to protect the integrity of sport both in Australia and internationally.
This edition of the Anti-Doping Update contains further information on the topics I’ve touched on here, and more.
All the best,
Richard Ings
Chair
2010 Prohibited List
We know we’re always reminding you about this, but always check your substances before you take anything. It’s extremely important because the Prohibited List is reviewed and updated each year to reflect the latest scientific advances.
On 1 January 2010, the 2010 Prohibited List comes into effect. To give you a chance to familiarise yourself with the list, the World Anti-Doping Agency has published it on their website.
Some of the key changes from the 2009 Prohibited List include the following:
- The status of salbutamol and salmeterol (used for the treatment of asthma). Therapeutic use of inhaled salbutamol (maximum 1600 micrograms per day) and salmeterol will not be prohibited as of 1 January 2010 with a declaration of use.
- Supplemental oxygen (hyperoxia) will no longer be prohibited.
- The status of platelet-derived preparations (such as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), ‘blood spinning’) has been clarified by WADA. It will be prohibited when administered by intramuscular route, but other routes of administration will require a declaration of use.
- Pseudoephedrine will be reintroduced to the Prohibited List and will be prohibited above 150 micrograms per millilitre.
Pseudoephedrine
Pseudoephedrine will be reintroduced to the List and will be prohibited above 150 micrograms per millilitre.
Athletes – do not take pseudoephedrine 24 hours prior to or during competition.
There are permitted alternatives which you can take in this time period. Out-of-competition there is no need for a TUE to take pseudoephedrine.
For therapeutic applications in-competition, consider the use of alternative permitted medications upon previous consultation with a physician, or apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
The threshold level has been established based on the intake of therapeutic doses, defined as a maximum daily dose of 240mg PSE taken either as:
- four (4) daily administrations (one every 4-6 hours) of a 60mg pill (or 2 x 30mg pills), (8 Codral original cold and flu tables in 24 hours), or
- two (2) daily administrations (one every 12 hours) of a 120mg pill, or
- one (1) daily administration of a 240mg pill.
In line with this dosing regimen, the intake, for example, of a single daily dose of 3 x 60mg pills constitutes a supratherapeutic administration that may lead to an Adverse Analytical Finding.
Platelet Rich Plasma therapy
If you plan on using a platelet-derived preparation for a muscle injury, you must have an approved TUE prior to the procedure. Injections of platelet-derived preparations into joints will not require a TUE but will require a declaration of use.
You can make a declaration during a testing session by noting the use on the Doping Control Form, or by emailing declaration@asada.gov.au with your sport copied in, detailing athlete’s:
- name
- date of birth
- sport
- address
- substance
- name of treating doctor and
- circumstances of use.
ASADA's new website
Have you seen ASADA’s new website? The Minister for Sport, the Hon. Kate Ellis launched our website on 18 November at the AIS. Some of the AIS athletes came along to try out the new tool to check their substances.
Check your substances online
One of the highlights of the new website is that you can now check your substances online. It’s so simple, you just:
- visit www.asada.gov.au and click ‘check your substances’
- choose your sport, gender and your role in sport
- enter the name of your Australian medication
- get your results instantly in a new window; if you want to check more than one substance, go back to step three.
This application searches for Australian medications. If you need to check the status of an overseas medication, you’ll need to check with the local anti-doping authority.
The application doesn’t provide advice about supplements because they are not comprehensively regulated in Australia. Supplements can cause a positive test due to ingredients not being listed on the label, or impurities during manufacturing.
Whereabouts online system upgrade
Registered Testing Pool athletes, you’ve told us that providing your regular schedule in hard copy is laborious. You’ve asked why you can’t do it online when you’re providing your standard one-hour window per day for your whereabouts compliance.
We’re pleased to tell you that we’ve heard you, and have done something about it. We’ve enhanced the Athlete Whereabouts Online System (AWOS) so you can now complete all your athlete whereabouts requirements online.
Whilst it is your responsibility to provide accurate information, your regular schedule information is not subject to the missed test implications of the one-hour testing window.
Regular schedule = a world-wide requirement to supply usual routines and locations for training, work, home, and upcoming competitions. This information improves no-advance-notice testing programs around the globe, and helps to keep your sport clean.
Changes to ASADA Act
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) governance arrangements will be strengthened from 1 January 2010 with the passing by Parliament of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment Act.
The amendments to the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Act 2006 (ASADA Act) ensure that ASADA will continue to deliver a world-leading anti-doping program to protect the integrity of sport both in Australia and internationally.
The key changes to ASADA’s governance structure include the establishment of an Advisory Group primarily responsible for providing advice and making recommendations to the CEO, and a new Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel comprised of experts in the areas of sports medicine, sports law, clinical pharmacology, ethics and investigations. The role of the Panel will be to make findings on possible anti-doping rule violations and make recommendations on the consequences of its findings. The Panel will be kept at arms-length from the Government and ASADA’s testing, investigation and enforcement functions to avoid any perception of conflict of interest. Advisory Group and panel members will be appointed by the Minister for Sport Kate Ellis.
Current anti-doping policies may need to reflect the role of the Panel in making findings/recommendations.
ATUEs expire 31 December 2009
As part of the introduction of the updated World Anti-Doping Code from 1 January 2009, abbreviated Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ATUE) were globally abolished. However, there was an amnesty period for athletes who had ATUEs in place before 1 January 2009. These will expire at the earliest of:
- the date that that they are cancelled by the Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee
- the expiry date mentioned on the ATUE, or
- 31 December 2009.
If you have an ATUE:
- check the expiry of your ATUE
- check the status of your substance at www.asada.gov.au (noting the change to salbutamol and salmeterol discussed earlier in this newsletter)
- apply for a TUE if necessary, by visiting www.asdmac.gov.au
Don’t let your ATUE expire without an approved full Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) in place. For more information about TUEs visit www.asdmac.gov.au
You can never win back your reputation
Keep your eyes peeled at your sporting events and venues for ASADA’s new poster.
We can all think of athletes who were hailed as heroes after winning, only to tumble from their glory after being found out for cheating. Once you lose your reputation to the shame of doping, you can never win it back. Doping is not worth it.
Sports – if you’d like to promote anti-doping in your sport, you can place a copy of the poster at your event or venue, in your newsletter, on your website, or in your event program. To get your copy of the poster, email communications@asada.gov.au
If you have any thoughts you’d like to share with ASADA about the new poster, email communications@asada.gov.au
Your feedback, and what we’re doing about it
Thank you to all athletes, sports and support personnel who participated in ASADA’s stakeholder research earlier this year. Your feedback directly helps ASADA to provide you with what you need to meet your anti-doping requirements.
Through the research you told us that the website is your preferred method of receiving information and searching substances. You also told us that finding what you need on the current website can be tricky. So we’ve updated the website, and created the new online tool to allow you to check your substances online.
You said you are confident in the work ASADA is doing to help keep your sport clean. You also said that you think the ASADA staff you have contact with are professional and helpful.
You told us that you found it difficult providing your regular schedule in hard copy, and you wanted to be able to complete it all online. So we’ve updated the Athlete Whereabouts Online System to allow you to do this.
You told us that being tested makes you feel a bit uncomfortable, but also confident that ASADA is working hard to keep sport clean.
Thank you again to all who participated. We’ve taken on board your feedback, and we’re using it to improve our services to you.
The survey will be conducted again next year in May and June. We’d really like to hear more from you, so please take the opportunity to anonymously tell us what you think about us, and how we can continue to improve.
ASADA Masters Games anti-doping program
The ASADA anti-doping program conducted at the Sydney 2009 World Masters Games was an enormous success, greatly increasing awareness of the rights and responsibilities of masters competitors.
In the lead up to the Games, ASADA worked closely with the International Masters Games Association and the team behind Sydney's seventh staging of the event to develop a new WADA-compliant anti-doping policy for all IMGA-run competitions.
The Games Organising Committee communicated the WADA-approved rules to the record 28,292 competitors from 95 countries through a wide range of pre-event channels, including monthly electronic newsletters.
At Games time, ASADA ran education seminars and a trade stand in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct to supplement the pre-event work of organisers.
The ASADA trade stand, part of the five-day Games Health and Lifestyle Expo at Sydney Showground's The Dome, proved particularly popular with competitors.
Anti-doping knowledge within the not necessarily elite masters sport community is at an all-time high due to the work of ASADA, WADA, Games organisers and the IMGA before, during and after the event in Sydney.
Turin in Italy will host the next World Masters Games in 2013 but, before that, Bled in Slovenia will host the first World Winter Masters Games from 25 to 31 January 2010.
Sydney 2009 World Masters Games Organising Committee
The Sydney 2009 World Masters Games successfully hosted the world’s largest multi-sport event with more than 28,000 competitors from 95 countries, competing in 28 different sports at 72 venues throughout Sydney during the Games.
If in doubt, ask for DCO ID
By now you know that athletes can be tested any time, anywhere. But, not by anyone.
If you are selected by ASADA for testing, you will be approached by either a Doping Control Officer (DCO), or a Chaperone. They will always have their ASADA uniform on, carry photographic identification, and they will present you with an athlete privacy information notice. Whilst you must comply with a valid request for testing, if in doubt ask the DCO and/or Chaperone to produce their photographic identification.
More information about the sample collection process is available at www.asada.gov.au or in the information booklet, Athlete Testing Guide, which is available online or by calling 13 000 ASADA (13 000 27232).
University of Sydney Anti-Doping Research Project
Athletes and coaches - researchers at the University of Sydney are interested in finding out your knowledge and awareness of anti-doping policy and testing procedures to determine future strategies, education, and anti-doping policy.
The project is supported by the Australian Government through the Anti-Doping Research Program and is investigating the awareness and attitudes of elite athletes and coaches to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) doping policy.
The study is an anonymous survey of athletes and coaches from a range of sports in order to:
- determine their awareness and knowledge of the anti-doping policy and testing procedures
- investigate their level of knowledge about prohibited substances
- examine their attitudes and behaviours towards doping in sport.
The survey takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete, participation is voluntary and anonymous and there are no identifying questions on the questionnaire. The information provided by participants is confidential and will be stored in compliance with University of Sydney guidelines.
Your participation in this research project would be appreciated. A participant information statement is available here if you require further details about the study.
If you are an athlete, please click here to complete the Athlete Survey.
If you are a coach, please click here to complete the Coach Survey.
The University of Sydney team thanks you for your assistance with this research. Look out for a summary of the results in a future edition of this newsletter.