Noel Rock
Ceist:345. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the issue of steroid abuse here; if punishing gym owners will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23189/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 29 May 2018
Ceisteanna (345)
Freagraí scríofa
Anabolic steroids are synthetic versions of the male hormone testosterone. They have a number of physiological effects; growth of skeletal muscle and bone, and the growth and maintenance of the reproductive system. As such they are medicinal products and medicines containing anabolic steroids are subject to prescription control.
Under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations 2003, as amended, it is prohibited for a person to supply prescription-only medicines, except in accordance with a prescription. The supply must be made from a registered pharmacy by, or under the personal supervision of, a registered pharmacist. The mail order supply of prescription-only medicines is also prohibited. A person who contravenes these Regulations is guilty of an offence.
The inappropriate use of prescription-only medicines can cause significant harm. While a doctor may prescribe anabolic steroid containing medicines to treat specific medical conditions, the misuse of such drugs and their derivatives, for non-medical purposes, poses a significant risk to human health. In addition, prescription-only medicines that are supplied illegally, including anabolic steroids, have often been shown to be falsified and there can be no guarantee as to their safety, quality or efficacy.
In 2017 the Department of Health launched a new National Drugs Strategy. The new strategy "Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025” has committed to establishing a working group to examine the evidence in relation to current and emerging trends of drug use including the use of image and performance enhancing drugs (IPED), which includes anabolic steroids. This will be pursued by the HSE in conjunction with other relevant stakeholders during the term of the action plan of the strategy.
This action arose from reports by service providers of an increase in people who use IPED accessing the needle exchange programmes. However, these harm reduction services are traditionally geared toward users of psychoactive substances not IPED. Therefore, expanding the range and nature of models of practice may service to enhance accessibility, engagement and effectiveness for this at-risk group.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is the Competent Authority for the implementation of EU and national legislation relating to medicines in Ireland. The Agency’s role includes monitoring and inspecting medicinal products on the market to ensure their safety, efficacy and legality.
One of HPRA’s roles is to investigate potential breaches of legislation and, where necessary, to take corrective action including legal proceedings. The HPRA works closely with Revenue’s Customs Service, An Garda Síochána and international enforcement agencies to prevent the unauthorised flow of illegal medicinal products, including anabolic steroids.
In 2017, the HPRA detained 449,411 anabolic steroid dosage units (tablets, capsules, vials, etc.), compared to 109,006 units detained in 2016. This reflects the impact of intelligence-led enforcement activity by the HPRA, acting in conjunction and in cooperation with Revenue’s Customs Service and An Garda Síochána. Another action in "Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery" provides for An Garda Síochána and Revenue Customs Service to invest in capacity building measures for the monitoring of online drug markets and prevent their use as a means of trafficking illegal drugs and other substances into Ireland.
The focus of the HPRA when investigating breaches of the legislation relating to medicines is on the supplier. Prosecutions have been initiated by the HPRA in relation to the unauthorised supply of anabolic steroid containing medicines. These prosecutions have included the offences of manufacturing, advertising and supply without prescription to individuals and for wholesale supply.
If any person, including those in control of gymnasia, is offering, facilitating the supply of, or supplying anabolic steroid containing medicines in breach of the legislation, they risk investigation by the HPRA and may face enforcement actions up to and including prosecution.
In addition to enforcement activities targeting the illegal supply of anabolic steroid containing medicines, the HPRA plans to launch a targeted information and education campaign later this year to highlight to users of illegally supplied products the very significant health risks associated with taking anabolic steroids.