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Therapeutic Use Exemption

Meaning

A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) is a formal, medically sanctioned authorization granted to an athlete by an anti-doping organization to use an otherwise prohibited substance or method for a documented, legitimate medical condition. This critical clinical mechanism ensures that athletes are not penalized for using necessary medications to treat a diagnosed illness or injury, provided the medication does not confer an unfair competitive advantage beyond restoring normal health. The TUE process requires rigorous documentation, including comprehensive medical records and laboratory evidence, to justify the necessity of the prohibited substance.