The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) today commended the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for classifying three steroids as “anabolic steroids” under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), but warned that the regulatory process is too lengthy and cumbersome to keep pace with the continuing flood of dangerous precursors and steroids being introduced to the market. The three steroids to be specifically scheduled on the CSA, effective January 4, 2010, are boldione, desoxymethyltestosterone (Madol), and 19-nor-4,9(10)-androstadienedione.
The DEA’s Final Rule for the Classification of Three Steroids as Schedule III Anabolic Steroids Under the Controlled Substances Act can be found here: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-28572.htm.
“We applaud the DEA’s efforts in ensuring that these three dangerous steroids are added to the CSA,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “However, because of the cumbersome regulatory process, it has taken over three years to get here, and this is only the tip of the iceberg. While three dangerous steroids identified years ago have finally been listed, in that time a host of others have been brought to market but not listed, and everyday we learn of additional nefarious substances being developed. We need a regulatory system capable of managing the magnitude of this problem, and that can stop those rogue supplement manufacturers who are meanwhile profiting.”
Since the exposure of the BALCO scandal in 2003, USADA was made aware of Madol as a designer steroid and has been testing for it since. As recently as last week, products sold as dietary supplements containing Madol were still available through reputable, mainstream Internet retailers. While USADA applauds the DEA’s scheduling of Madol, it is time for decisive action to be taken that will ensure the prompt, comprehensive scheduling of illicit substances to the CSA, and safeguard the American public from further harmful products cleverly disguised as otherwise safe dietary supplements.
USADA recently launched the Supplement Safety Now(www.SupplementSafetyNow.com) initiative in partnership with the National Football League, Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Hockey League, the U.S. Olympic Committee and other national sports and health organizations, urging Congress to refine the regulatory framework to ensure that all supplements sold over-the-counter, in retail stores and online, are safe and free of dangerous steroids and other drugs.
Visit www.SupplementSafetyNow.com to learn more and to take action, joining those who are deeply concerned about the health of consumers.
USADA is the non-profit, independent and non-governmental entity responsible for the testing and results management process in the U.S. for athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, upholding the Olympic ideal of fair play, and representing the interests of athletes. USADA is dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs. The agency manages a drug reference phone hotline and Global Drug Reference Online, conducts educational sessions with National Governing Bodies and their athletes, and proactively distributes a multitude of educational materials, such as curriculums, themed brochures and nutrition and dietary guides, easy-reference wallet cards for the prohibited substance list, periodic newsletters, and protocol and policy reference publications, all of which can be found at www.USADA.org.
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Dec. 15 2009
