The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) publishes 2017 Prohibited List

Press Release

This article is written in English with a French translation underneath.

29 September 2016 - Today, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) publishes the 2017 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods; along with, the 2017 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes. The List - which designates what substances and methods are prohibited both in- and out-of-competition, and which substances are banned in particular sports - was approved by the Executive Committee on 21 September and comes into force on 1 January 2017.

“WADA is pleased to publish the 2017 Prohibited List, which is one of five International Standards that are mandatory for all signatories of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) to follow,” said WADA President, Sir Craig Reedie. “All athletes around the world are held to these standards and there can be no tolerance for people who intentionally break the rules,” Reedie continued. “Updated annually, the List is released three months ahead of taking effect so that all stakeholders – in particular athletes and their entourage -- have ample time to familiarize themselves with the List and its modifications,” he said.

“The Prohibited List follows a very extensive stakeholder review process over the course of nine months,” said Director General, Olivier Niggli. “In reviewing the List, experts examine such sources as: scientific and medical research; trends; and, intelligence gathered from law enforcement and pharmaceutical companies in order to stay ahead of those that wish to cheat,” Niggli continued. “It is vital that all athletes take the necessary time to consult the List; and that, they contact their respective anti-doping organizations (ADOs) if they have any doubts as to the status of a substance or method,” said Niggli.

The List’s annual revision process is led by WADA, beginning with an initial meeting in January and concluding with the publication of the List by 1 October. This is an extensive nine-month consultation process which includes gathering information, circulating a draft list, stakeholder submissions, committee recommendations and the approval of the List by WADA’s Executive Committee during its September meeting.

It should be noted that, for athletes who have a legitimate medical reason for using a prohibited substance or method that is on the List, they can be accommodated via the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE), which has overwhelming acceptance from athletes, physicians and anti-doping stakeholders worldwide.

To view the changes made to the 2017 Prohibited List, please see the 2017 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes.

Languages and Formats

As of today, the 2017 Prohibited List, the Summary of Modifications, and the 2017 Monitoring Programare available for download on WADA’s website in English. The French and Spanish will follow shortly.

Stakeholders wishing to translate the List into other languages are kindly asked to signal their interest at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., by 23 October.

As has been the case in past years, the List will be made available as an iPhone app and on other mobile devices effective 1 January 2017.

SUMMARY OF MAJOR MODIFICATIONS AND EXPLANATORY NOTES 2017 PROHIBITED LIST

Substances and methods prohibited at all times (In- and Out-of-Competition)

Prohibited Substances

S1 ANABOLIC AGENTS

Compounds boldenone, boldione, 19-norandrostenedione, and nandrolone have been transferred and 19-norandrostenediol added to the S1.b section because they can be produced endogenously at low concentrations. This change does not affect the prohibited status of these substances. The interpretation and reporting of findings for these substances is addressed in specific Technical Documents (TD2016IRMS and/or TD2016NA).
5α-androst-2-ene-17-one, commonly known as “Delta-2” or 2-androstenone, was added as an example of metabolite of DHEA, more recently found in dietary supplements.

S2 PEPTIDE HORMONES, GROWTH FACTORS, RELATED SUBSTANCES AND MIMETICS

To extend the scope of Erythropoietic Stimulating Agents, GATA inhibitors (e.g. K-11706) and Transforming Growth Factor- β (TGF-β) inhibitors (e.g. sotatercept, luspatercept) were added.
The International Nonproprietary Name (INN) of FG-4592, roxadustat, was added.
Molidustat was added as another example of HIF stabilizer.
Cobalt: It is re-iterated that vitamin B12, which contains cobalt, is not prohibited.

S3 BETA-2-AGONISTS

The reference to isomers was simplified.
Examples of selective and non-selective beta-2-agonists were added (fenoterol, formoterol, higenamine, indacaterol, olodaterol, procaterol, reproterol, salbutamol, salmeterol, terbutaline, vilanterol).
Higenamine is documented to be a constituent of the plant Tinospora crispa, which can be found in some dietary supplements and is a non-selective beta-2-agonist.
Dosing parameters of salbutamol were refined to make it clear that the full 24 hour dose should not be administered at one time.
The maximum dosage for salmeterol was stated according to the manufacturers’ recommendations.
Studies are ongoing to establish an appropriate urinary threshold concentration for inhaled salmeterol. At present, the Technical Document TD2015MRPL recommends not to report salmeterol below 10 ng/mL.

S4 HORMONE AND METABOLIC MODULATORS

Androsta-3,5-diene-7,17-dione (arimistane) was added as a new example of aromatase inhibitor.

Prohibited Methods

M1 MANIPULATION OF BLOOD AND BLOOD COMPONENTS

Supplemental oxygen administered by inhalation, but not intravenously, is permitted. To clarify this, M1.2 now reads “excluding supplemental oxygen by inhalation”.

Substances and Methods Prohibited In-Competition

S6 STIMULANTS

Lisdexamfetamine was added to S6.a; it is an inactive pro-drug of amfetamine.
In the absence of an INN for methylhexaneamine, its International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) name, 4-methylhexan-2-amine, was added. A number of other synonyms exist for methylhexaneamine including: 1,3-dimethylamylamine, dimethylpentylamine; methylhexamine; methylhexanamine; 1,3-dimethylpentylamine.
Regular food consumption will not yield sufficient levels of phenylethylamine to result in an Adverse Analytical Finding.

S7 NARCOTICS