Anti-doping guidance

Guidance

The WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) provides guidance on which procedures and medications are prohibited for athletes. These guidelines are reviewed on an annual basis.

according to the 2024 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is permitted, however the stem cell donation procedure (involving the re-introduction of autologous blood) is prohibited. This is because the WADA prohibits the re-introduction of blood products into the circulatory system, and the apheresis procedure involves removing blood from the donor, collecting stem cells, then re-introducing it.

Of note, the UK Anti-Doping Agency is planning to discuss with WADA whether altruistic stem cell donation can be made an exception to this. This guidance may therefore change in 2025.

Bone marrow donation is allowed by WADA, but athletes may be weary about this donation method due to the potential effect of an operative procedure and iron depletion or anaemia on their performance. This should therefore be discussed with the athlete.