US Cracks Down on Sale of Hormone Androstendione
VOA News
11 Mar 2004, 19:51 UTC
U.S. government regulators have told food supplement companies to stop selling the hormone androstendione unless they can prove that it is not a dangerous drug.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services has warned 23 manufacturers to stop making the product - commonly known as andro - unless they can prove it is safe.
The FDA is using a seldom enforced provision of a law that defines as dietary supplements as natual substances that were on the market before 1994. Andro was not marketed before 1994 and so its producers have to prove it is safe before it can be legally sold as a supplement.
The announcement comes one day after Major League Baseball Players' Union head Donald Fehr challenged the U.S. Senate to change the law if it wants andro eliminated from sports. Testifying before the Senate Commerce Committee, Mr. Fehr said andro is a legal supplement and if the Congress wants it removed it should change the law.
The drug became famous when former Major League Baseball single season home run king Mark McGwire admitted using it to build muscle. Andro has long been sold over the counter as a dietary supplement.
Medical studies have shown that andro raises the body's testosterone levels. The government move comes as Major League Baseball is under a cloud of suspicion over allegations of steroid use by players.
looks like more will be joining the darkside soon
