“A significant number of samples containing Tramadol”
Following a general meeting of the doctors in charge of the teams members of MPCC, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have been asked, in June, to include Tramadol into the list of banned substances in competition in 2014. WADA responded that the statute relating to the use of this substance would be considered by its experts at the next meeting, which was the case on the 22nd and 23rd of August. WADA confirm that “the number of samples containing Tramadol is significant” and that “a majority of them come from cyclists.” However, it was decided to extend the monitoring program for the substance for one more year. The program began in 2012 and aims to be a prerequisite for any entry on the banned list.
Collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry is essential
Nevertheless, WADA point out to MPCC that “Tramadol remains on the priority actions list” of the experts. The sharing of information with the Pharmaceutical Industry and the anti-doping authorities, including WADA, becomes fundamental because of misuse and abuse of drugs, newly developed and commercially available. In the case in point, Tramadol has significant addictive side effects. MPCC suggested “that these new molecules that can be diverted from their use, are marked by the pharmaceutical industry before being placed on the market.”
Read the letter of MPCC – Read the answer of WADA