Athletes using the popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs Ozempic and Mounjaro will face no restrictions under global anti-doping regulations, as the World Anti-Doping Agency decided to retain the substances on its monitoring program rather than add them to its updated prohibited list.
The 2027 list comes into effect on Jan. 1 and will apply globally to all signatories of the World Anti-Doping Code, which includes Indian athletes governed by the National Anti-Doping Agency. Both medications belong to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class, which is widely utilized for diabetes treatment and weight management.
Evaluation and Scientific Review
WADA senior director of science and medicine Olivier Rabin cautioned athletes against taking the drugs without professional medical supervision, warning that their substantial physiological effects could carry serious risks. The agency stated that for any substance to be prohibited, it must fulfill at least two out of three criteria: creating potential performance enhancement, posing health risks to athletes, or violating the spirit of sport.
The prohibited list expert advisory group and the ExCo considered the status of GLP-1 receptor agonists carefully,
Rabin said, noting that existing evidence was insufficient to justify an outright ban. In response, WADA has commissioned further research to establish their exact effects.
Other Prohibited List Updates
Alongside the decision on GLP-1 receptor agonists, the updated 2027 list explicitly permits the vaginal administration of glucocorticoids, though other routes of administration remain subject to restrictions. Meanwhile, cannabidiol continues to be allowed, while primary psychoactive compounds found in cannabis, hashish, and cocaine remain strictly prohibited in competition.
