Montreal, September 25, 2024
Today, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) released the List of prohibited substances and methods 2025 (List), which was approved by the WADA Executive Committee at its meeting on September 12, 2024 and which will come into force on 1er January 2025.
We also publish:
- le Summary of the main changes and explanatory notes 2025 compared to the 2024 List; And
- le 2025 Monitoring Program, which includes substances that are not on the List, but which WADA wishes to monitor for potential trends of abuse in sport.
The Prohibited List is one of eight International Standards mandatory for all signatories du World Anti-Doping Code (Coded). It indicates which substances and methods are prohibited out of competition and in competition, and which substances are prohibited in certain sports.
“We encourage athletes, their entourage and all stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the Summary of main changes in order to avoid the accidental use of prohibited substances and methods in sport for 2025, declared the Director General of the AMA, Olivier Niggli. In particular, we call on anti-doping organizations around the world to share the List and its related documents with athletes, their entourages and other relevant stakeholders within their jurisdiction.
Main changes for 2025
As indicated in the Summary of the main changes and explanatory notes for 2025, the main changes are as follows:
- Additional examples have been added to the following classes of substances to help athletes and their entourage better identify prohibited substances:
- S0. Unapproved substances,
- S4. Hormonal and metabolic modulators,
- S5. Diuretics and masking agents,
- S6. Stimulants.
- The dosing intervals for formoterol have been changed, although the maximum daily dose delivered remains the same.
- Donations of blood and blood components, including by apheresis, are no longer prohibited if they are made in an approved collection center.
- Hydrafinil has been transferred to unspecified stimulants.
- It has been clarified that guanfacine is not a banned substance.
- Beta-blockers are no longer banned in any ski or snowboard discipline.
Annual List Review Process
WADA leads an annual process of reviewing the List, beginning with an initial meeting in January and then concluding with the publication of the List by January 1.er October. This is a broad consultation process during which the Prohibited List Expert Advisory Group of the AMA collects information, including the latest scientific and medical research, trends and intelligence collected from law enforcement agencies and pharmaceutical companies, distributes a draft list to stakeholders and revises the draft taking into account their observations. THE Health, Medicine and Research Committee of the Agency then revises the document. The Health, Medicine and Research Committee finally makes its recommendations to the WADA Executive Committee, which approves the List at its September meeting.
For a substance or method to be added to the List, it must meet at least two of the following three criteria:
- It has the potential to improve or actually improve athletic performance.
- It presents a proven or potential risk for the health of the athlete.
- It is contrary to sportsmanship.
The List is published three months before it comes into force so that athletes, their entourage and other stakeholders can familiarise themselves with any changes. Athletes are responsible for the prohibited substances in their bodies and the prohibited methods used. Members of an athlete’s entourage are also responsible for anti-doping rule violations if they are found to be complicit. Therefore, if they are unsure about the status of a substance or method, it is important that they contact their respective anti-doping organisation (International Federation or National Anti-Doping Organisation) for advice.
The therapeutic use authorization program
Athletes who have a legitimate medical reason for using a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method on the List may request a therapeutic use exemption (AUT) to determine if they meet the criteria set out in the International Standard for Authorization of Therapeutic Use (SIAUT). The TUE program is a rigorous and necessary part of elite sport and is widely accepted by athletes, physicians and stakeholders in the anti-doping community.
Learning resources
In addition to the documents linked above, the AMA has provided, or will provide, educational resources as part of its Support program for signatories for the implementation of the Code (CISP), which can be consulted on the Agency Anti-Doping Education and Learning Platform (ADEL). These resources include:
- CISP Checklist – Implementing the Revised Checklist (available now)
- Guide for athletes and their support staff for the 2025 List (available mid-December)
Languages and formats
The 2025 Prohibited List, the 2025 Summary of Principal Changes and Explanatory Notes, and the 2025 Monitoring Programme can be downloaded from the WADA website in English and French, with Spanish to follow in the coming weeks.
Stakeholders interested in translating the List into other languages are requested to register their interest at code@wada-ama.org. WADA will then provide the necessary documents and, once the translation is finalized, make the translated List available on the Agency's website.
The adaptive digital edition of the List will go online on 1er January 2025.