Why Have The Authorities Not Been Able To Resolve The Issues With Tramadol?

If it hasn’t been banned yet, when will it?

- Paul Knott

Despite not having the notoriety of high-profile banned drugs such as EPO or steroids, the use of tramadol was once again thrown into the limelight earlier this month after an open letter to the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) from Mouvement pour un cyclisme crédible (MPCC) president Roger Legeay  slammed it for failing to move the drug onto the prohibited list.

Tramadol has had multiple cases of alleged abuse, the most high profile of which involve Team Sky and British Cycling. But while it’s still legal, its use is frowned upon and no current professional riders or teams will admit to taking it.

What’s the problem with it, it’s just a painkiller?