A Chinese drug company that manufactures human growth hormone pleaded guilty for unauthorized distribution of a prescription drug in the country. GeneScience Pharmaceutical Company and its chief executive officer Lei Jin agreed to a plea agreement which requires them to forfeit more than $7.5 million. This is aside from the $2.7 million which was previously forfeited in favor of the government.

Though the company’s major marketing activities were done through the internet, the entry of the HGH drug in the US still requires approval of the FDA and other regulatory agencies because it is a prescription drug. “GeneScience never obtained approval from the FDA to market Jintropin in the US, where hGH is available only through doctor’s prescription for strictly defined uses,” authorities said. Jintrophin, GeneScience’s brand of hGH, was a hot item for bodybuilders and professional athletes in the country. In fact, some celebrities including Sylvester Stallone were reported to be using the hGH Jintrophin.

Based on court records, the HGH Jintrophin dominated the market for human growth hormone in the country. More than 90 percent of HGH illegally sold into the US was from GeneScience Pharmaceuticals. The investigation on the Chinese drug company started when authorities launched “Operation Raw Deal” that targeted doping in professional sports. There were also other cases where the company was sued because of the alleged serious side effects of their hgh product.

Since the drug did not pass any quality assurance from the FDA, users of HGH Jintrophin are on a greater risk of getting negative side effects. “HGH, when distributed and used unlawfully, poses a serious health threat, particularly to young people who ignore the risks of such substances in an effort to enhance athletic performance,” said district attorney Peter Neronha.

GeneScience will forfeit $4.5 million in assets and pay $3 million to finance a program aimed to clean the sports of doping. This will be pro rated every year for 3 years. The fund will cover anti-doping costs, research, testing for steroids, human growth hormone and other banned substances. “By paying an additional three million dollars to finance research, testing, and screening, the defendants will pay to counter the effects of hGH and steroid abuse.” The Rhode Island Foundation will manage the fund. Authorities believed that the conviction in the HGH case will deter other companies and individuals to engage in illegal activities like smuggling of human growth hormone and other banned substances.

Prosecutor Peter Neronha lauded the efforts of everybody who took part in the successful investigation and conviction of the Chinese drug manufacturer and its chief executive officer. “There’s no question that the good work done here has put a dent in HGH importation into the United States,” Neronha told the media. The court also sentenced Jin to 5 years probation. He is barred to sell any drugs to United States customers without the approval of the Secretary of Health and Human Services. GeneScience representatives decline to comment on the result of the case when asked by the media.

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