UAE Launches National Anti-Doping Platform: What Athletes, Doctors and Sports Clubs Need to Know

An athlete may need medication to treat an illness, injury or medical condition. However, what happens when that medication contains a substance prohibited under anti-doping rules?

A prescription from a doctor does not automatically exempt an athlete from sports anti-doping requirements. Even medication taken for legitimate medical reasons may create an anti-doping issue if the substance or method is prohibited and the required exemption has not been obtained.

To improve the management of these situations, the UAE has introduced a new digital system for athletes and medical professionals.

On 8 November 2026, the Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sport and the National Anti-Doping Agency, officially launched the National Anti-Doping Platform (NPAD).

The platform provides a unified digital system for managing Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs). It allows applications to be prepared, submitted, reviewed, approved and tracked electronically.

This development is relevant not only to professional athletes but also to sports clubs, federations, coaches, doctors and organisations responsible for athlete welfare and competition compliance.

1. What Is the UAE National Anti-Doping Platform?

The National Anti-Doping Platform, known as NPAD, is a digital system designed to improve the administration of the UAE's national anti-doping programme.

It was launched by the Ministry of Interior in cooperation with the Ministry of Sport and the National Anti-Doping Agency.

According to the official announcement, the platform had already undergone approximately one year of operational use, during which its procedures were tested and improved in coordination with relevant partners.

Its main purpose is to make anti-doping procedures more organised, improve information exchange and reduce errors associated with manual applications.

The platform provides several functions:

• Electronic preparation and submission of TUE applications.

• Uploading and reviewing supporting medical reports.

• Tracking the progress and status of applications.

• Automated notifications during the application process.

• Verification of information and professional licences through relevant government authorities.

• A centralised database of athletes, healthcare practitioners and TUE applications.

• Access to information about prohibited substances and permitted treatment alternatives for medical professionals.

The platform is available through npad.ae.

Importantly, the platform is an administrative and regulatory tool. It does not replace the applicable anti-doping rules or guarantee that an application will be approved.

2. What Is a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)?

A Therapeutic Use Exemption, commonly called a TUE, is an authorisation that may allow an athlete to use a substance or method that is otherwise prohibited under anti-doping rules for legitimate medical treatment.

Athletes can develop medical conditions that require medication. Some medicines contain substances included in the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) Prohibited List.

A TUE provides a process through which an athlete can seek permission to use such treatment without automatically breaching the applicable anti-doping rules.

For example:

An athlete may be diagnosed with a medical condition requiring a particular medication. If the medication contains a prohibited substance and there is no suitable permitted alternative, the athlete may need to apply for a TUE.

The application is assessed by the competent anti-doping authority through the applicable medical review process.

A TUE is not a general exemption from anti-doping requirements. It is granted for a specific medical need and is subject to the applicable conditions, treatment and approval.

3. When Does an Athlete Need a TUE?

An athlete may need a TUE when the treatment required for a genuine medical condition involves a substance or method prohibited under the applicable anti-doping rules.

However, not every prescription requires a TUE.

The first step is to check whether the medicine or treatment contains a substance or involves a method included in the applicable Prohibited List.

Athletes and medical professionals should consider the following:

Check the medicine before using it

A medicine prescribed by a doctor may still contain a prohibited substance. Athletes should check the ingredients against the current Prohibited List before using it.

Check whether a permitted alternative is available

Where a suitable permitted treatment can address the medical condition, the athlete may not need to use a prohibited substance.

Apply for a TUE where required

If the prohibited substance or method is medically necessary, the athlete should follow the applicable TUE application procedure and provide the required medical evidence.

Do not assume that a prescription is sufficient

A doctor's prescription establishes that treatment was medically prescribed. It does not, by itself, establish that the use complies with anti-doping rules.

The UAE National Anti-Doping Agency advises athletes to inform their doctors that they participate in sport and may be subject to anti-doping requirements.

4. What Information Is Required for a TUE Application?

A TUE application requires medical information that allows the relevant authority to assess the athlete's condition and the proposed treatment.

The application process generally involves information from both the athlete and the treating medical practitioner.

Depending on the circumstances, the supporting information may include:

• Athlete identification and sporting details.

• Medical diagnosis and relevant medical history.

• Medical examination and investigation reports.

• Details of the prohibited substance or method.

• Dosage, route of administration, frequency and duration of treatment.

• Explanation of why the treatment is medically necessary.

• Information about available permitted alternatives and why they may not be suitable.

• Supporting declarations and medical documentation.

The new NPAD platform allows these documents to be submitted and managed electronically.

It also helps medical professionals check information about prohibited substances and available permitted treatment alternatives.

The accuracy and completeness of the medical information are important because the application must be assessed on its actual medical circumstances.

5. Can an Athlete Be Penalised for Taking Prescribed Medication?

Yes, an athlete may face an anti-doping issue even where a prohibited substance was taken unintentionally or on the recommendation of another person.

The UAE National Anti-Doping Agency explains the principle of strict liability in its official guidance.

Under this principle, an athlete is responsible for substances found in their body, even where the substance was taken accidentally or supplied by another person as supposedly safe.

This makes it important for athletes to verify medication before using it.

Depending on the applicable anti-doping rules and the circumstances, violations may lead to consequences such as:

• Disqualification of competition results.

• Suspension from participation.

• A ban from competing in sport.

• Financial consequences.

• Publication of an anti-doping rule violation.

The nature and duration of any sanction depend on the applicable rules, the type of violation and the relevant facts.

A valid TUE granted in accordance with the applicable requirements can protect an athlete's permitted therapeutic use of a prohibited substance or method. However, an athlete should not assume that a pending application is equivalent to approval.

6. Can an Athlete Apply for a TUE After Using the Medication?

The normal approach is to obtain the required TUE before using a prohibited substance or method for therapeutic purposes.

However, anti-doping rules recognise that certain situations may make advance approval impractical or impossible.

For example, emergency medical treatment may need to be provided immediately, without waiting for an application to be reviewed.

In limited circumstances, a retroactive TUE application may therefore be considered under the applicable International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions.

Such applications are not automatically accepted. The athlete must satisfy the relevant criteria and provide supporting medical evidence.

The important point is that athletes should not deliberately delay an application on the assumption that approval can be obtained later.

Where treatment is urgent, medical care should not be delayed. The athlete and medical practitioner should preserve the relevant medical records and follow the applicable anti-doping procedures as soon as reasonably possible.

7. What Are the Responsibilities of Sports Clubs, Federations and Medical Professionals?

Anti-doping compliance is not limited to the individual athlete.

Sports organisations and medical professionals also have important responsibilities in protecting athletes and maintaining the integrity of competitions.

Sports clubs and federations

Article 33 of Federal Law No. 4 of 2023 Concerning Sports requires clubs and federations to maintain the safety and health of athletes, protect them against violence and abuse, insure them and keep them away from doping in accordance with the applicable regulations.

In practical terms, sports organisations should:

• Inform athletes about applicable anti-doping requirements.

• Encourage athletes to check medication before use.

• Ensure that relevant medical personnel understand TUE procedures.

• Maintain appropriate medical and compliance records.

• Cooperate with the National Anti-Doping Agency and relevant authorities.

Doctors and medical professionals

Medical professionals treating athletes should consider the anti-doping implications of prescribed medication.

They should check the applicable Prohibited List, consider permitted alternatives where appropriate and assist with the medical documentation required for TUE applications.

The NPAD platform also provides mechanisms to verify professional information and licences through relevant government authorities.

This supports greater confidence in the qualifications of medical professionals working with sports organisations.

Athletes

Athletes should disclose their sporting status to their doctors, check medication ingredients, seek guidance where uncertain and follow the required application procedures before using prohibited medication whenever possible.

8. What Is the Legal Basis for Anti-Doping Regulation in the UAE?

The principal federal legislation governing the UAE sports sector is Federal Law No. 4 of 2023 Concerning Sports.

Article 20 establishes the role of the National Anti-Doping Agency.

Under Article 20, the Agency is responsible for setting policies and procedures to monitor and prevent doping in sports competitions, in coordination with the relevant government authorities and sports organisations.

The Article also provides for cooperation in controlling violations and applying sports sanctions in accordance with World Anti-Doping Agency regulations.

Article 33 addresses the responsibilities of clubs and federations concerning athlete safety, health and protection against doping.

These provisions operate alongside the applicable UAE anti-doping rules and international standards, including the World Anti-Doping Code and the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions.

The new NPAD platform supports the administration of these requirements by providing a central digital channel for TUE applications and related information.

It should therefore be understood as a development in the implementation and administration of existing anti-doping requirements, rather than a replacement for the underlying legislation.

9. What Should Athletes and Sports Organisations Do Now?

The launch of NPAD provides an opportunity for athletes and sports organisations to review their existing medication and anti-doping procedures.

The following practical steps are recommended:

For athletes

• Inform your doctor that you participate in organised or competitive sport.

• Check the current Prohibited List before using medication or supplements.

• Do not assume that an ordinary medical prescription is sufficient.

• Apply for a TUE where required and obtain approval in accordance with the applicable rules.

• Keep medical reports, prescriptions and treatment records.

• Use the NPAD platform to manage relevant applications and follow their status.

For doctors and medical professionals

• Verify whether prescribed medicines contain prohibited substances.

• Consider permitted treatment alternatives where medically appropriate.

• Provide complete medical reports and supporting documents.

• Check professional licensing requirements.

• Familiarise yourself with the NPAD application process.

For sports clubs and federations

• Establish clear anti-doping awareness procedures.

• Inform athletes and medical teams about TUE requirements.

• Encourage the use of the NPAD platform.

• Maintain appropriate medical and compliance records.

• Coordinate with the National Anti-Doping Agency where necessary.

Conclusion

The launch of the UAE National Anti-Doping Platform is an important development in the administration of sports regulation and athlete protection.

By digitising Therapeutic Use Exemption applications, improving verification procedures and strengthening information exchange, the platform aims to make anti-doping processes more efficient and transparent.

For athletes, the key lesson is that medically prescribed treatment and anti-doping compliance must be considered together. A prescription does not automatically authorise the use of a prohibited substance in competitive sport.

Sports clubs, federations and medical professionals also have an important role in ensuring that athletes understand the applicable requirements and receive appropriate guidance.

As the UAE continues to strengthen its sports sector, awareness of anti-doping rules is essential to protecting athlete health, promoting fair competition and maintaining the integrity of sport.

MLC can assist sports organisations, clubs and businesses in understanding UAE legal developments, reviewing regulatory responsibilities and identifying compliance requirements under applicable UAE legislation.