ASDA Annual Report 2004-05 (Adobe PDF | 173 pages | 4.4 MB)Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC)
Under the ASDA legislation ASDMAC provides the following functions to Australian sport:
- Approval for the use of prohibited medications for legitimate therapeutic purposes
- Conduct investigations and provide additional medical and scientific expertise in relation to the determination of positive test results
- Provide sporting bodies additional medical and scientific information arising from positive test results.
ASDMAC's functions are subject to compliance with relevant legislation and regulation. A full statement of ASDMAC’s functions as prescribed in the ASDA Act appears at Appendix O.
Regular audits highlight openness and transparency in decision making, the highest standards of probity, integrity and a strong commitment to accountability.
The Committee held four meetings during 2004–05.
Therapeutic approvals for prohibited substances
ASDMAC provides approval for therapeutic use of prohibited substances to athletes where:
- Their NF’s anti-doping policy allows for or permits the athlete to seek approval to use a prohibited substance for a legitimate therapeutic purpose
- There is no other permitted therapeutic substance available for prescription that will enable treatment of the athlete’s condition
- There is evidence that a performance enhancement effect will not be gained by the athlete through the use of the substance.
ASDMAC Members
Chairman
Prof Ken Fitch, AM
Sports Physician, Mount Hospital Medical Centre; Adjunct Professor, Dept of Human Movement, University of WA; Secretary, Medication Advisory Committee, IOC Medical Commission Deputy Chair, WADA’s Health Medical and Research Committee; Member of WADA’s Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee; Emeritus Physician, Sports and Soft Tissue Injury Clinic, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Perth Hospital.
Members
Prof Peter Fricker, OAM
Director of Medical Service, Australian Institute of Sport; Head of Sports Sciences and Sports Medicine, Australian Institute of Sport; Adjunct Professor of Sports Faculty of Science & Design, University of Canberra; Chair Medical Commission, Australian Commonwealth Games Association; Member Medical Commission, Australian Olympic Committee.
Dr Susan White
Chief Medical Officer, Netball Australia; Medical Officer anti-doping Committee, Cricket Australia; Medical Commission, International Federation of Netball Associations; Sports Physician, Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre, Melbourne; Editorial Board, “Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine”; Book Review Editor, British Journal of Sports Medicine; Medical Executive M2006 Organising Committee.
Dr Peter Harcourt
Sports Physician; Medical Coordinator, Victorian Institute of Sport, Australian Institute of Sport (Victoria); Medical Convenor, Transport Accident Commission, Victoria; Chief Medical Officer, Basketball Australia; Medical Officer, Australian Football League; anti-doping Medical Officer, Australian Cricket Board; Member, FIBA Medical Council; Member, Medical Commission, Australian Commonwealth Games Association.
Dr Hugh Hazard
Sports Physician; Chief Medical Officer & Team Physician, National Rugby League; Team Physician, National Australian Rugby League Touring Squad.
Process for approvals
ASDMAC’s Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) approval process examined applications from athletes for a variety of circumstances. Athletes seeking approval for therapeutic use are advised to apply through the medical officer within their sport.
The application is registered on ASDMAC’s database and if the Committee determines that the application fulfils the criteria, an “Approval for Therapeutic Use of a Prohibited Medication” is prepared.
The athlete and the NF are advised if therapeutic use of a prohibited substance is approved. Details of athletes who receive approval for therapeutic use are transferred to a Register of Approvals Granted from which ASDA may seek information for decision making purposes in its results management process.
Achievements
During 2004–05, ASDMAC:
- Processed 214 applications for therapeutic use
- Further developed guidelines for the approval of stimulant medication in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Advised ASDA on nine testosterone investigations
- Advised ASDA on two human chorionic gonadotrophin investigations
- Provided advice to ASDA with respect to test results and various substances
- Provided input to the Australian submission to the WADA list of prohibited substances and prohibited methods
- Implemented new/updated procedures and forms in line with the Code
- Provided its TUE Guidelines to WADA’s TUE Working Group.
Details of ASDMAC TUE applications are available at Appendix P.
Trends internationally
SDMAC operates in line with the Code and relevant international standards.
ASDMAC’s five members have significant experience in reviewing and granting TUEs. Internationally, ASDMAC has contributed to anti-doping in sport through participation and cooperation with WADA and other international anti-doping organisations. The Committee has:
- Contributed to the development of international standards
- Provided opinion to a number of international anti-doping organisations
- Provided representation at several international forums
- Met all compliance requirements of the International Standard for TUE.
Internationally, ASDMAC has contributed to anti-doping in sport through participation and cooperation with WADA and other international anti-doping organisations.
ASDMAC resources
ASDMAC is funded through the ASDA appropriation. Secretariat staff are employed by ASDA.
| Member fees | $84,068.04 |
| Professional fees | $2,620.36 |
| Travel | $17,921.73 |
| Administration | $4,458.21 |
| TOTAL | $109,068.34 |
Further information regarding ASDMAC can be found on the ASDMAC website: www.asdmac.org.au