The NCAA News - News & Features

Statement on NCAA drug-testing exceptions procedure

The NCAA recognizes that some banned substances are used for legitimate medical purposes. Accordingly, the Association allows exceptions to be made for those student-athletes with a documented medical history demonstrating the need for regular use of such a drug.

Exceptions may be granted for substances included in the following classes of banned drugs: stimulants, beta blockers and diuretics (Bylaw 31.2.3.2).

PROCEDURE FOR EXCEPTIONS.

1. Alternative nonbanned medications for the treatment of various conditions exist and should be considered before an exception is pursued.

2. In the event that the student-athlete and the physician (in coordination with sports medicine staff at the student-athlete's institution) agree that no alternative to the use of the banned substance is available, the decision may be made to continue the use of the banned substance (i.e., stimulant, beta blocker or diuretic).

3. The institution should maintain in the student-athlete's medical record on campus a letter from the prescribing physician that documents that the student-athlete has a medical history demonstrating the need for regular use of such a drug. The letter should contain information as to the diagnosis (including appropriate verification), medical history and dosage information.

4. A student-athlete's medical records or physicians' letters should not be sent to the NCAA unless requested by the director of sports sciences. Also, the use of the substance need not be reported at the time of an NCAA drug testing.

5. In the event that a student-athlete is tested by the NCAA and shows positive for a substance for which the institution desires an exception, normal procedures for reporting positive test results will be followed (See NCAA Drug-Testing Protocol Section No. 8.0) and the institution, through its director of athletics, may request an exception by submitting to the NCAA the physician's letter and any other medical documentation it wishes to have considered.

6. Requests for exceptions will be reviewed by the chair of the drug-testing and drug-education subcommittee of the NCAA Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports or his/her designate.

7. The director of sports sciences will inform the director of athletics regarding the outcome of the exception request. In the event that the exception is not granted, the institution may appeal this action according to Section 8.0 of the drug-testing protocol.

8. The eligibility of the involved student-athlete will be maintained during the period of time the exception is being reviewed by the drug subcommittee.

9. Institutions may contact the NCAA director of sports sciences regarding this procedure.

Sources: 1995-96 NCAA Drug Education and Drug-Testing Programs, Athletic Drug Reference, 1996.