It seems that the fame of the drug has spread far and wide, as WADA says the drug was included in the updated list because of "evidence of its use by athletes with the intention of enhancing performance."
Developed in Latvia, meldonium has been used to treat ischemia, or lack of blood flow. Meldonium had previously been on WADA's list of drugs to be monitored.
Mildronats is one of the most successful medicinal exports from Latvia. In 2013, export turnover of the drug reached EUR 65 million. It is produced by the Latvian pharmaceutical company Grindeks.
The updated list, approved on Sept. 16, comes into force on Jan. 1.
