USADA is one of the many organizations worldwide that is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code, which is the guiding document that standardizes anti-doping policies, rules, and regulations for public authorities and sport organizations around the world.
Under the World Anti-Doping Code, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) issues an annual List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, known as the Prohibited List, which is one of five International Standards. The Prohibited List outlines substances and methods that are prohibited at all times, in-competition only, and in particular sports. The substances and methods on the Prohibited List are identified under various categories, including Anabolic Agents, Hormone and Metabolic Modulators, Stimulants, and others.
Annual Review Process
On an ongoing basis, WADA’s Prohibited List Expert Group reviews scientific and medical research, while also consulting with others in the anti-doping community, to provide recommendations and guidance on updates to the Prohibited List. Advice is then provided to and considered by the Health, Medical, and Research Committee before WADA finalizes and releases the Prohibited List by October 1 each year. This timing gives stakeholders three full months before the updated List goes into effect on January 1 of the following year.
Criteria
Under the WADA Code, a substance or method may be added to the WADA Prohibited List if it meets at least two of the following three criteria:
Prohibited List Resources
To learn more about prohibited substances and methods, you can search the status of your medications on GlobalDRO.com or find information about the risks associated with supplements on Supplement Connect.
