"We managed to persuade WADA not to include [Meldonium] on [its Prohibited list] for a long time. The news about the drug's ban really upset and surprised us. We still have not received any scientific answer. [Taking] this drug is not doping. We have decided to hold an open dialogue with WADA. We will be trying to achieve the exclusion of meldonium from the banned [substances'] list from January 1, [2017]," Bundulis said at a press conference.
According to Bundulis, there is evidence that meldonium is a high-quality and harmless drug, which has helped to save many athletes' lives.
Earlier in April, WADA said in a statement that less than 1 micrograms of meldonium per milliliter in the doping test would be permissible in samples submitted before March 1, 2016.
