Several considerations about the therapeutic use exemptions

Aims. - In the present paper the critical analysis of the therapeutic use exemption (TUE) system has been performed and propositions has been suggested to ameliorate it. Current knowledge. - One of the criteria of WADA for granting a TUE is that "the therapeutic use of the substance would not produce significant enhancement of performance". However, all the substances concerned by TUE are on the prohibited list and are able to produce significant enhancement of performance. Unfortunately, it is not possible to know why and how an athlete used the drug. Conclusion. - In order to limit the cheating risk the author recommend a number of accurate rules about the use of TUE compatible with the European convention on human rights. (c) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tons droits reserves.