CONTEXT: RECENT NEWS STORIES…

A SPORTS PHYSICIAN’S ROLE …

A SPORTS PHYSICIAN’S ROLE …(cont)

A SPORTS PHYSICIAN’S ROLE …(cont)

THE RELEVANT RULES

• Primary source - WADA regulations

• Secondary sources – international federations; national federations; national anti-doping organisations

“ATHLETE SUPPORT PERSONNEL”

KEY OFFENCES UNDER THE WADA CODE

THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTIONS (TUEs)

• WADA Code permits athletes to apply for Therapeutic Use Exemptions, ie permission to use prohibited substances or methods where documented medical conditions require such use

• Criteria:- Significant impairment to health if substance or method was withheld

- No additional performance enhancement effect other than by returning athlete to normal state of health following treatment of legitimate medial condition

- No reasonable therapeutic alternative to use of prohibited substance or method

- Necessity for use cannot be a consequence of the prior use without a TUE

• Cancellation / expiry

• Retroactivity where emergency or exceptional circumstances

• Application process

POTENTIAL SANCTIONS

MITIGATING SANCTIONS

DEGREE OF FAULT

What about fault on the part of the physician?(See Edwards v IAAF and USATF – athletics)

CASE STUDIES

EXERCISING UTMOST CAUTION

THE FUTURE…

TEN TIPS FOR PHYSICIANS

TEN TIPS FOR PHYSICIANS…

THANK YOU