British Columbia Latest Jurisdiction to Ban TRT

The Nevada State Athletic Commission changed the game when they banned Therapeutic Use Exemptions for Testosterone Replacement Therapy.

The UFC followed suit, Brazil thereafter and now British Columbia.

In a report coming out of MixedMartialArts.com, Erik Magraken broke it down:

Section 21 of the BC Minister’s Athletic Commissioner regulations adopted the WADA Prohibited List of Substances. Today’s Policy simply confirms the WADA list is in force in BC.

What was less clear was whether BC would grant Therapeutic Use Exemptions for prohibited substances to those in medical need. From my perspective it was implied that if BC adopted the WADA prohibited list they also adopted the WADA test for granting a TUE. Today’s Policy confirms this in fact is the case. Interestingly, BC has adopted a complete ban on TRT, which could be subject to Human Rights scrutiny under BC law, with the policy reading as follows:

3.2 Therapeutic Use
3.2.1
Athletes with a documented medical condition requiring the use of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method must first obtain a Therapeutic Use Exception (TUE). The presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers, Use or Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method, Possession of Prohibited Substances or Prohibited Methods or administration of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method 4 consistent with the provisions of an applicable TUE issued pursuant to the WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions shall not be considered an anti-doping policy contravention.
3.2.2
Athletes competing in British Columbia must obtain a TUE from the BCAC (regardless of whether the Athlete previously has received a TUE elsewhere) no later than thirty days before the Athlete’s participation in a competition.
3.2.3
Upon the BCAC’s receipt of a TUE request, the BCAC shall either convene a panel of BCAC ringside physicians to consider and advise on the request (the “TUE Panel”) or refer the TUE request to a body the BCAC believes competent to consider and give advice to the BCAC on TUEs. If the BCAC convenes a panel, the Chair (as appointed by the BCAC) of the TUE Panel shall appoint three (3) members of the TUE Panel (which may include the
Chair) to consider such request. The TUE Panel members (or other competent body as decided by the BCAC) so designated shall promptly evaluate such request in accordance with the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions and render advice to the BCAC on such request.
3.2.4
The BCAC will not grant a TUE request for the use of testosterone