It was in 2005 when the federal authorities headed by the US Food and Drug Administration raided a pharmacy selling human growth hormones and anabolic steroids to various clients online. The office of PowerMedica in Deerfield Beach was investigated for their alleged illegal distribution of HGH and steroids to online clients without a valid prescription and actual examination of a doctor. During the raid, federal agents seized several boxes of drugs and various documents were found in 16 file cabinets most of which were related to the operation of the pharmacy.

Federal investigators found out that the online prescriptions issued to the clients of Powermedica came from Dr. Manuel G. Sanguily. Based on court records, PowerMedica uses an online software that would allow the doctor to review and sign online orders of steroids and HGH. Dr Sanguily would then sign the drug order forms even without meeting the clients and he did not asked or reviewed their medical histories. This practice would put the customer’s health at a risk because of the possible complications it may cause to the user.

The online pharmacy which was established in 2000 was founded by Daniel L. Dailey. After the incident, Dailey said in an interview that his company did nothing illegal in selling the HGH and steroids online. He also argued that the clients received valid prescriptions for their steroid orders online. Dailey also confirmed the reports of several police enforcements officers and firefighters who were regular clients of his company. The Broward Sheriff’s office confirms this report and admitted that 8 of their deputies were included in the list of clients of PowerMedica. However, after conducting their own investigation on the matter, the Sheriff’s office cleared the involved officers.

Eight months after the raid, Dailey decided to close his company and surrendered his pharmacy license.

After the long wait, Dr. Sanguily was charged this month with conspiring to unlawfully distribute human growth hormone and conspiracy to distribute steroids while working for the online pharmacy. The charges centered on his illegal prescriptions to several customers without conducting physical exams or reviewing medical histories. If convicted of the charges, the doctor will face up to 10 years in prison. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 5 years. Aside from this, Sanguily may also oblige to pay fines for his offense.

According to Jon Burstein of the Sun Sentinel, both the defendant, Dr Sanguily and owner of the Powermedica, Mr Dailey did not issue any comment on the latest development of the case.

HGH and anabolic steroids are not illegal. Doctors should follow the proper procedure in prescribing these Schedule III drugs. Actually these drugs are used to treat many medical conditions such as anemia, infections and even some types of cancers. However, anabolic steroids became more popular in bodybuilding since it can help in muscle building. Human growth hormones are also prescribed to patients who are suffering from hormone imbalance or their body already stopped producing the needed hormones. Most anti-aging clinics now prefers the use of HGH to slow down the aging process naturally.

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