RFU Anti Doping
Introduction
The IRB Anti Doping Regulation known as Regulation 21 (“Regulation 21”) has been amended in light of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) Code. The Code aims to bring uniformity and harmonisation to the anti doping rules of all sports globally.

The IRB Council in April 2004 approved the amendments to Regulation 21.  The revised Regulation 21 became effective from 1 June 2004. 

The following Q & A paper has been compiled by the IRB and the RFU and is provided for assistance in compliance with the revised Regulation 21 and in particular Therapeutic Use Exemption.

1.  What is a Therapeutic Use Exemption?
A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) may be granted to a Player permitting the use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method contained in the WADA Prohibited List to treat a legitimate medical condition.

There are two types of TUEs, a standard TUE and an abbreviated TUE.

N.B. Any applications for medical exemption made prior to the 1st June 2004 are no longer valid and need to be resubmitted on the correct forms.

2.  When would a Player seek an abbreviated TUE?
When a Player needs to use a Prohibited Substance as outlined in (a) or (b) below and has medical notification justifying the therapeutic necessity.
 
The abbreviated TUE replaces the previous IRB/RFU DECLARATION OF MEDICATION FOR USE OF PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES Form and applies to the following Prohibited Substances and permitted routes of administration only.

(a) Beta 2 Agonists – (formoterol, salbutamol, salmeterol and terbutaline) administered by inhaler only to prevent and /or treat asthma and exercised induced asthma/broncho-constriction.

(b) Glucocorticosteroids administered by non-systemic routes such as local and intra-articular injections, anal, aural, ophthalmic and inhalation.

Dermatological preparations of Glucocorticosteroids are no longer prohibited and their use no longer necessitates the completion of an abbreviated TUE

3.  When would a Player seek a standard TUE?
A Player would seek a standard TUE for a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method that is on the WADA Prohibited List that is not covered by an abbreviated TUE and has medical support justifying the therapeutic necessity as further set out in the International Standard for TUEs.

4. Communication channels for TUE applications and TUE decisions
The communication process in relation to the application for a standard and/or abbreviated TUEs will always be via the RFU to either the IRB TUE Committee (TUEC) for International Level Players or the UK Sport TUEC for all other Players.  The response to standard TUE applications will then be forwarded back to the Player via the RFU.

5. Where can a copy of the standard and abbreviated TUE application forms be obtained?

Click here for the standard TUE Application form

Click here for the abbreviated TUE Application form

6. What is the timetable for submitting an abbreviated TUE to the relevant TUEC?
An application for an abbreviated TUE should be submitted to the RFU at least 48 hours prior to the Player’s scheduled participation in a Match or Tournament or prior to the expiry of the previous abbreviated TUE.

7. Can a TUE be cancelled?
Yes, a TUE will be cancelled by the granting TUEC if;

(a) the Player does not promptly comply with any requirements or conditions imposed by the relevant TUEC granting the exemption.

(b) the term for which the TUE was granted has expired.

(c) the Player is advised that the TUE has been withdrawn by the relevant TUEC.

8. How long is a standard TUE valid for?
The relevant TUEC will determine the period and conditions for which a standard TUE will be valid.

9. How long is an abbreviated TUE valid for?
Subject to the review mechanism referred to below, an abbreviated TUE shall be valid for 2 years from the date of receipt by the relevant TUEC for both inhaled Beta 2 Agonists and inhaled Glucocorticosteroids.

In relation to all other permitted (non-systemic) routes of administration for Glucocorticosteroids the abbreviated TUE shall be valid for the duration of the treatment for that particular medical condition. 

It should be noted that abbreviated TUEs may be subject to review and may be cancelled by the relevant TUEC at any time.

10. What happens when a standard TUE application is approved?
Once a standard TUE is approved by the relevant TUEC, the Player will be notified in writing via the Player’s Union and a Certificate of Approval for Therapeutic Use which will outline the duration and expiry of the exemption and any specific conditions linked to it will be issued.  The Player should carry his TUE Certificate of Approval with him at all times. If selected for Doping Control, the Player should show the TUE Certificate of Approval to the Doping Control Officer at the time of the Doping Control test.

If a standard TUE is not approved by the relevant TUEC, the TUEC will notify the RFU of this who in turn will immediately inform the Player that the TUE has been denied and that the Player should not take the Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method, which they have applied for if they wish to participate in the Game. The option to appeal the TUE decision will also be outlined to the Player. 

11. Are there any circumstances in which retroactive approval may apply?
The International Standard for TUEs provides that an application for either an abbreviated or standard TUE will not be considered for retroactive approval except in cases where:

(a) Emergency treatment or treatment of an acute medical condition was necessary, or

(b) Due to exceptional circumstances, there was insufficient time or opportunity for an applicant to submit, or a TUEC to receive and consider a TUE application prior to Doping Control occurring.

If a retroactive TUE is to be considered it should be submitted to the RFU within 24 hours of the administration of the Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method to the Player or where exceptional circumstances existed preventing the TUE application to be submitted within the requested timetable for a TUE application to be considered by the appropriate TUEC for retroactive approval.

The retroactive TUE application should be accompanied by relevant evidence supporting such emergency/exceptional circumstance situation (in addition to the medical information required) to the relevant TUEC for its consideration. Retroactive approval shall be determined by the relevant TUEC.

12. What happens if a Player has not submitted a standard TUE or abbreviated TUE and his sample returns an Adverse Analytical Finding.
Subject to any retroactive TUE approval the process is outlined in RFU Anti Doping Regulations.

13. What can a Player do if his standard TUE application is denied?
If a Player is denied a standard TUE application, the Player may make an appeal.  For details, contact the RFU.

14. Where can I find further information?

For details on the RFU Anti Doping Regulations, click here…

For details on the iRB Anti Doping Regulations, click on the link below…

IRB Regulations (and go to Regulation 21)

To determine the status of any medication, consult the UK Sport Drug Information Database, by clicking on the link below…

http://www.didglobal.com/

To assist with your enquiry, a flowchart has been prepared showing the process for both abbreviated and standart TUES.  Click Here for Details

Contact details:

Chris Burns
Rugby Football Union
Rugby Road
Twickenham
TW1 1DS
Tel: 020 8831 6641
Fax: 020 8892 4446
Email: chrisburns@rfu.com

Drugs and Supplements

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) condemns Doping. Doping is the use by a player, or distribution or supply by a player, of prohibited substances or methods as defined or listed from time to time by the International Rugby Board (IRB) and/or the RFU. 

There has been increasing concern regarding nutritional supplements, ergogenic aids and herbal products.  As part of the RFU programme of education on Anti-Doping, the RFU has approved the following Position Statement on Nutritional Supplements, Ergogenic Aids and Herbal Products. 

ALL Clubs are encouraged to ensure their players, coaches and medical staff are made fully aware of the RFU Anti-Doping Policy & Regulations and the Position Statement below.

RUGBY FOOTBALL UNION POSITION STATEMENT ON NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS, ERGOGENIC AIDS AND HERBAL PRODUCTS

Nutritional Supplements

A wide range of nutritional supplements are available, these may include

• Meal replacements
• Protein powders
• Carbohydrate drinks and related products
• Vitamins and minerals

The purpose of these supplements is to provide increased intakes of specific macro-nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) or micro-nutrients (vitamins and minerals), in a convenient and digestable form.

The use of macro-nutrient supplements may be appropriate for rugby players who are unable to meet their energy requirements through their normal diet.

The use of micro-nutrient supplements is not usually required by individuals following a normal, varied, balanced diet and living in healthy environment.

Ergogenic Aids

Ergogenic aids are products or substances which claim to improve performance to a higher level than may be achieved by training alone. Examples of substances in this category may include

• Creatine
• Hydroxy-Methyl-Butyrate (HMB)
• Phosphate
• Glycerol
• Many others, including a large number of substances banned under international doping regulations, the ingestion of which could result in a positive drugs test.

Creatine

Creatine is a naturally occurring compound found in significant concentrations in meat and fish. Creatine is also available commercially, principally as powders and tablets.

Although the current scientific research suggests that Creatine may be a safe, legal and effective supplement to enhance performance, the position of the RFU is that as with all nutritional supplements, it should not be taken unless under strict medical supervision.

Herbal Products

The term herbal product is used to cover a wide spectrum of substances ranging from those claiming to assist in the recovery from medical conditions, to those which claim to improve performance.

Position Statement

The manufacture of nutritional supplements, ergogenic aids and herbal products may not be subject to the same stringent standards as those applied to the manufacture of pharmaceutical medicines. There is a risk that these products may:

• Contain ingredients not listed on their label
• Contain ingredients in different amounts to those listed
• Contain ingredients which are banned substances
• Contain ingredients which are pre-cursors of banned substances

Consequently the ingestion of these products may increase the risk of a player incurring a positive drugs test.

A player is absolutely responsible for any Prohibited Substance found to be present in his body. Accordingly, it is not necessary that intent or fault on the player’s part be shown in order for a Doping Offence to be established. Nor is lack of intent or fault a defence to a Doping Offence. It is each player’s responsibility to ensure that no Prohibited Substance enters his body and that Prohibited Methods are not used. A player is responsible for any Prohibited Substance detected in samples provided by him. It is also the personal responsibility of each player to ensure that he does not commit any other Doping Offence.

The RFU therefore, recommends that:

1. Players should be extremely cautious about the use of any nutritional supplements, ergogenic aids and herbal products

2. Nutritional supplements, ergogenic aids and herbal products should only be used where the process is controlled and individually monitored by appropriately qualified medical practitioners and nutritionists who are able to screen the supplements used

3. All nutritional supplements, ergogenic aids and herbal products are taken at the individual player’s risk and with their personal responsibility.

HELP IN ENSURING YOU DON’T TAKE A BANNED SUBSTANCE
To assist players, coaches and medical staff:

1. UK Sport has introduced a valuable resource to help players in identifying the status of specific substances.  The UK Sport Drug Information Database provides excellent information on substances and their status within the sport of Rugby Union Football.  Simply visit http://www.didglobal.com/ and follow the simple instructions.  For those that do not have internet access, you can call the UK Sport Drug Information Line on 0800 528 0004.

2. The RFU has a supply of wallet-sized cards that detail the different banned classes of substances and methods.  The cards can be given to players so that if they need to take medication, they or their GP/pharmacist can check whether it contains banned substances.  These cards are available through Community Rugby & Operations Department by email: chrisburns@rfu.com, fax: 020 8892 4446 or writing to Community Rugby & Operations Department, Rugby Football Union, Rugby Road, Twickenham TW1 1DS.