ABC ADOPTS THE WADA LIST OF PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES

Now, all states ban the same PEDs

Press Release: The Association of Boxing Commission (ABC) at its recent conference in Clearwater, Florida, took an important step in the prevention of abuse of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs).  The ABC unanimously voted to adopt the World Anti-Doping (“WADA”) Prohibited List. This marks a major step, and accomplishes several things.

1) It standardizes substances which are prohibited among the different jurisdictions.

2) It simplifies the ability to check whether substances are prohibited since WADA keeps a comprehensive list, available at: www.wada-ama.org/Documents/World_Anti-Doping_Program/WADP-Prohibited-list/2012/WADA_Prohibited_List_2012_EN.pdf  (or by putting “WADA Prohibited List” in a search engine).

3) It makes it possible for boxers to, in many cases, determine whether specific drugs contain prohibited substances since WADA and associated groups have an interactive website where the name of a drug can be entered and the website will inform the viewer whether the drug is prohibited.  See http://www.globaldro.com/ and follow the prompts or just put “globaldro” into a search engine.  For instance, if you enter “ibuprofen” you will find it is not prohibited, but if you enter “testosterone”, the substance shows up as clearly prohibited.

4) The list is maintained in English and Spanish and can be accessed through many mobile devices.

There are rare instances where a boxer may be legitimately prescribed what would otherwise be a prohibited drug, such as typical medications used by asthmatics.  In such instances athletes must disclose the use prior to competition, prior to any testing, and must apply for a therapeutic use exemption.  For a therapeutic use exemption application, a boxer should contact the athletic commission of his/her home jurisdiction and any jurisdiction where they have a bout scheduled. Disclosure and a therapeutic use exemption is crucial; otherwise using a prescribed drug on the prohibited list or containing substances on the prohibited list will be grounds for discipline.

Boxers should also take great care as to any supplements they may take, as they are accountable for taking such supplements as well if a drug test turns up positive for a PED due to a substance in a supplement.