A summary of changes to the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List for 2010
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has issued a new Prohibited List of Substances and Methods which comes into effect on 1 January 2010 Changes to the Prohibited List are as a result of ongoing reviews by the WADA List and Medical and Research Committees. A substance or method is added to the List if it meets two of three criteria: it is performance enhancing, poses a danger to athletes health, and its use is against the spirit of sport.

From January 2010, there are a number of significant changes which include:

1. The therapeutic use of inhaled salmeterol and salbutamol (at doses not exceeding 1600mcg over 24 hours) will no longer be prohibited. For monitoring purposes, athletes using such substances by inhalation will be required to declare their use on the Doping Control Form when they are tested. Athletes wishing to use any other inhaled beta-2 agonists i.e. Terbutaline, Formoterol etc or Salbutamol at doses >1600mcg/24 hours will be required to have a Medical File in place and may be required to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) prior to use.

2. Pseudoephedrine is prohibited in competition at urinary concentrations >150mcg/ml. The re-introduction of pseudoephedrine to the Prohibited List is due to results of the WADA monitoring programme which indicated clear abuse of this substance with high concentrations in a number of sports and regions. In addition, available literature shows scientific evidence of the performance-enhancing effects of pseudoephedrine beyond certain doses. Pseudoephedrine is found in many over the counter medicines available in pharmacies including many multi-ingredient products used as cough and cold remedies, hayfever and decongestant treatments. Athletes are advised to stop taking any pseudoephedrine containing products at least 24 hours before competition. For therapeutic applications during the In-Competition period, athletes should consider the use of alternative permitted medications after prior consultation with their doctor or pharmacist, or apply for a TUE for the use of pseudoephedrine for therapeutic purpose(s).

3. The intramuscular injection of Platelet-Derived Preparations (such as Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP, and blood spinning ) is prohibited and thus requires a TUE. Platelet -derived preparations by other routes of administration (such as local injection into a joint, tendon, or ligament) are permitted but are also required to be declared on the Doping Control From at the time of testing.

The changes to the Prohibited List will be reflected in the folloing
- The Medicines and Sport database of www.eirpharm.com, the Irish Pharmacy website where athletes can check online the status of medicines in sport (updated on 1 January 2010)
- The athlete s wallet card issued by The Irish Sports Council
- The January 2010 edition of MIMS Ireland for medical professionals. Prescribers should ensure that they are using the most recent edition of MIMS Ireland.

For more information is available from the Irish Sports Council at (01) 8608818. Fax: (01) 8608860. Website: www.irishsportscouncil.ie/Anti-Doping, www.eirpharm.com and National Governing Bodies of Sport.