The Prohibited List is a list of substances and methods which are prohibited for athletes.

Substances and methods are classified by categories in the list, for example – steroids, stimulants, masking agents. Some substances are prohibited in-competition, others are prohibited at all times, both in-competition and out-of-competition, and some substances are prohibited for particular sports.

The Prohibited List is updated every year and it comes into effect on 1 January. The list is usually available in October of each year, for the following year. The Prohibited List for 2022 is available below.

The 2023 list can be sourced from the WADA website (linked here). This comes into effect 1 January 2023.

It is the athlete’s responsibility to make sure that no prohibited substance enters the athletes body and that no prohibited method is used.

Strict Liability

Athletes are responsible for everything they ingest – everything they eat, drink or take. This includes food, drink, vitamins, other food supplements and medications.

“Strict liability” means that if a prohibited substance is found in their body as a result of a test (a positive test result / adverse analytical finding), then that athlete is responsible to explain how that prohibited substance got there.

Downloads / Links

Prohibited list are available in the below languages –

• Arabic
• Catalan
• German
• Greek
• Norwegian
• Portuguese
• Turkish

Here is the link – 2024 Prohibited List | World Anti Doping Agency (wada-ama.org)

Please visit – WADA official website.

For further information on:

• What is Prohibited at all time
• What is Prohibited in Competition

Please visit – WADA official website.

Medicines / Medication

Many of the substances on the Prohibited List do not have medical application or benefit, but for those that do, the list only contains the generic names of the pharmaceutical substances.

The list does not contain brand names of medications, which vary from country to country.

Before you take any medication, make sure you check with your doctor that it does not contain a prohibited substance.

BWF only allows an athlete to use a prohibited substance for medical reasons if the athlete has a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the substance that BWF has granted or recognized.

1. Check that the generic name or International Non-proprietary Name (INN) of any active ingredient is not prohibited under the Prohibited List (‘in-competition only’ or at ‘all times’).

• For example, Modafinil (INN) is prohibited in-competition according to the Prohibited List and is in sold in English-speaking countries under brand names such as Alertec®, Modavigil® and Provigil®. These brand names do not appear on the List.

2. Check that the medication does not contain any pharmaceutical substances that would fall within a general category that is prohibited.

Many sections of the Prohibited List only contain a few examples and state that other substances with a similar chemical structure or similar biological effect(s) are also prohibited.

3. Be aware that intravenous infusions and/or injections of more than 50mL per 6 hour period are prohibited, regardless of the status of the substances.

4. If you have any doubt, contact your National Anti-Doping Organisation.