WADA keeps Ozempic and Mounjaro off its 2027 banned list, a move that will allow athletes to keep the drugs in their arsenal under strict medical oversight. The decision is effective from January 1, 2027, and applies globally to all signatories of the World Anti‑Doping Code.
The GLP‑1 receptor agonist class, which includes Ozempic and Mounjaro, is primarily used for weight management and diabetes treatment. WADA’s monitoring programme will keep a close eye on these substances, but they will not be listed as prohibited.
WADA’s senior director of science and medicine Olivier Rabin warned that athletes should use the drugs only with professional supervision, citing substantial physiological effects that could pose serious health risks. He added that the evidence available did not meet the threshold for a ban, which requires at least two of three criteria – performance enhancement, health risk or violation of sport’s spirit.
The agency has commissioned further research to gather more data on the impact of GLP‑1 agonists. Meanwhile, athletes and teams can plan their training and nutrition knowing that the drugs remain legal, provided they remain under the watchful eye of medical professionals.
In the near term, the focus will be on the ongoing studies and the next update to the prohibited list, expected before the 2028 season. Athletes worldwide will need to stay tuned to WADA’s announcements to ensure compliance.