Did you know?

By clicking on the Prohibited (red box), Not Prohibited (green box) or Conditional (orange box) in the search results additional information will appear.

What is Global DRO?

The Global Drug Reference Online (Global DRO) is a searchable database that provides information about the prohibited status of specific medications and/or the active ingredient based on the current World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List.

Why can’t I find supplements on Global DRO?

Global DRO does not contain information on any dietary supplement, which also includes homeopathic products, traditional medicines, herbals, and probiotics.

Dietary supplement brands are not included on Global DRO because the content of supplements can vary from batch to batch and could contain substances that are prohibited in sport regardless of what is listed on the label.

Dietary supplements are regulated in a post-market fashion, which means that no regulations are imposed to validate the accuracy of the supplement label.

There are ingredients on Global DRO sometimes listed in dietary supplements. Although you can use Global DRO to find out the status of these ingredients, it would be wrong to assume that because the ingredients come up as “not prohibited” on GlobalDRO that the supplement is safe.

We have seen many examples of dietary supplements that contain undeclared ingredients (ingredients not listed on the label). The use of any dietary supplement is at your own risk.

Please visit https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/what-we-do/supplements-sport for more information about the risks of dietary supplements.

How often is Global DRO updated?

The specific medications on Global DRO are updated regularly throughout the year when Sport Integrity Australia receives updated brand and drug formulation data from MIMS (the Brand data supplier). The active ingredients are also updated throughout the year as WADA modifies the Prohibited List or as new medications are approved by governmental regulatory authorities.

I searched for my medication on Global DRO and the search result says “Not Prohibited”, I can go ahead and take it, right?

Correct. If a substance is not on The World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List, and does not fall into one of the Prohibited List categories, then you can use the medication without incurring an anti-doping rule violation.

What does ‘In-competition’ and ‘out-of-competition’ mean?

Unless provided otherwise in the rules of an International Federation or the ruling body of the Event, ‘in-competition’ means the period commencing at 11:59 p.m. on the day before a Competition in which you are scheduled to participate through the end of such Competition (for example, award ceremony and conclusion) including the sample collection process (drug testing process) related to the competition. Keep in mind you may be in-competition for drug testing purposes even though you haven’t arrived at the competition grounds yet.

‘Out-of-competition’ is any time that is not in-competition (for example training, off-season, the days between competitions).

If a medication is prohibited, does that mean I can’t take it?     

If your medication is prohibited it means you can't use your medication in sport unless you have an approved Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), or you may incur an anti-doping rule violation. Sport Integrity Australia does not provide medical advice. Your decision to take a substance (prohibited or not) is between you and your doctor. If you need to use a prohibited substance in sport for health reasons you should apply for a TUE. Please visit https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/resources/therapeutic-use-exemption for information about how to apply for a TUE.

Why can’t I find my medication on Global DRO?

That particular Brand name may not be in the database. Try searching for the active ingredients found on the front of the medication packaging. If you can’t find the ingredients or you are not sure about the results CLICK on the ‘Contact Sport Integrity Australia’ link on the Global DRO search results page or email substance.enquiries@sportintegrity.gov.au

What is the “reference number” that appears on the results page?

The reference number is proof of your search and of your results. Using this reference number Sport Integrity Australia can confirm the advice you were given when you searched Global DRO. Save this number, or print out or email a copy of your results to yourself. The reference number appears on the search results page. This reference number is randomly generated and does not contain information which identifies an individual, but can be used to confirm the specific search you performed.

Why are there seven countries to choose from on the Global DRO page?

When you visit Global DRO you will have to identify your sport nationality (if you are an Australian athlete, then you will arrive on the Sport Integrity Australia Global DRO page) and the country where you purchased your medication. It is important to accurately select the country where you bought your medication because the same brand name might refer to a completely different product in another country. By choosing a specific country, brands of medication specific to that country of purchase are searched.

Are homeopathic medications on Global DRO?

No, homeopathic medications are not on Global DRO. There is no way to validate the contents of homeopathic medications. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) sometimes issues warnings relating to homeopathic medications. For the latest information or warnings about homeopathic medications please visit http://www.tga.gov.au/

I get a lot of results when I type in my medication - how do I know I have the right one?

Each Brand of medication (especially over-the-counter medications) may come in a variety of dosages (e.g. 10mg, 100mgs) and forms (e.g. tablet, capsules, drops) and flavours creating a long list of potential matches on Global DRO. Review the list carefully for an exact match with your product. The most important thing is to ensure you get the status of each ingredient on the medication packaging. Check your Global DRO search results against the active ingredients listed on your product to make sure that they match. If they don’t, then search for each ingredient individually or contact substance.enquiries@sportintegrity.gov.au or click on the ‘Contact Sport Integrity Australia’ link on Global DRO to get more information about your medication.  

Why can I not find the brand name of my cough, cold or flu medicine on Global DRO?

Some cough, cold and flu products contain prohibited substances, and this category of products changes so often that it’s difficult to make sure the formulation of recent products are up-to-date on Global DRO. Furthermore, sometimes people use old medicines from their medicine cabinets that could be off the market. To make sure you get accurate information read the medication packaging and search GlobalDRO for each active ingredient. Be careful that some formulas contain the prohibited stimulant pseudoephedrine. If you are still not sure about your cold and flu product please contact substance.enquiries@sportintegrity.gov.au or use the feedback button on GlobalDRO.

Are intravenous infusions (IVs) prohibited?

Yes, intravenous infusions are a prohibited method, even if the substance being infused is permitted, if the volume is more than 100mL per 12 hour period.  The only exception is if you are admitted to hospital, undergoing surgery, or a clinical investigation (ie. a diagnostic procedure). If your medical condition requires intravenous infusions that take place outside of the hospital, such as on the field of play, in a post-race medical tent, or in a medical clinic, then you should apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). WADA has clarified that the use of IV infusions to treat mild dehydration or simply accelerate recovery IS NOT an acceptable medical use of IVs in sport. For more information please read www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/therapeutic-use-exemption/medical-information-support-decisions-tuecs-intravenous

The beta-2-agonist inhaler I am prescribed for asthma has a threshold listed for the inhaler dose, but not a nebulizer dose. What is the maximum amount of the nebulizer I can use?

Nebulizers are by definition inhalation devices and thus not prohibited as a method. However, the inhalation of salbutamol in doses recommended by the manufacturer is most likely to result in urinary levels of salbutamol exceeding the urinary threshold of 1,000 ng/ml and thus, the use of salbutamol with a nebulizer requires a TUE. However, a TUE for nebulized salbutamol would be granted only in rare situations. For more information please read - status of nebulizers www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list#faq-anchor

Cortisone says prohibited by some routes but permitted for others. Why is that?

Corticosteroids are prohibited in-competition. That includes systemic injections (i.e. affecting the whole body) and localised injections (such as into bursa, into joints, or into the epidural space). If you need to use glucocorticoids orally, intravenously, by intramuscular injection, localised injection, as a rectal suppository or rectal cream and you are competing soon, you might need a TUE.  Visit https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/resources/therapeutic-use-exemption for more information.

Topical creams (on the skin), otic (in the ear), ophthalmic (in the eye), nasal (in the nose), inhalation - by device (by metered-dose inhaler), dental-intracanal (into a root-canal) are not prohibited.

Pseudoephedrine is prohibited In-Competition. When do I need to stop taking it before the event?

WADA recommend athletes should stop taking Pseudoephedrine-containing medicines at least 24 hours before competition. For therapeutic applications during the In-Competition period, consider the use of alternative permitted medications in consultation with a physician, or apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption for the use of Pseudoephedrine for therapeutic reasons.

Pseudoephedrine is a stimulant prohibited In-Competition only at a urinary threshold of 150 µg/mL. Amounts greater than the 150μg/mL threshold level will be counted as a positive doping test.

For more information please read - why is pseudoepherine prohibited at certain concentrations www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list#faq-anchor

Is donating plasma prohibited?

As of 01 January 2024, plasmapheresis is no longer prohibited for donors when performed in a registered donation center. Previously plasmapheresis was prohibited under M1.1 for the donor because the donor’s own red blood cells and other blood components are reintroduced into the circulatory system after the plasma has been separated. If donating, ensure a detailed medical record from the collection centre is kept which confirms the date, type and volume of the donation. This is particularly important if the athlete is in a Registered Testing Pool and if testing involves the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). For more information, please see the WADA FAQs on www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list#faq-anchor. Donating whole blood is not prohibited.

Is PRP or stem cell treatment prohibited?

Platelet derived preparations (PRP) are not prohibited.  WADA clarified that despite the presence of some growth factors, platelet-derived preparations were removed from the Prohibited List as recent studies on PRP do not demonstrate any performance enhancement beyond a potential therapeutic effect.

In relation to stem cell treatment, WADA also clarified that non-transformed stem cells used alone (with no growth factor or other hormone added) for healing injuries are not prohibited as long as they return the functioning of the affected area to normal and do not enhance it.

Note that individual growth factors from any other source remain prohibited under S2 - Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics.

For more information on PRP and/or stem cell treament please see www.wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list#faq-anchor or contact substance.enquiries@sportintegrity.gov.au