Jul 04 2011
Feds and Florida Health Officials Raided Pharmacy for Dispensing Anabolic Steroids and HGH
Florida health officials dubbed the operation of a Jensen Beach pharmacy as one of the largest steroid supplier in the country. Their investigation together with the Drug Enforcement Agency revealed that the pharmacy was able to dispense thousands of anabolic steroids and human growth hormones in just a six month period.
The pharmacy is a legitimate business but their operation was shady because of the large number of steroid sales. According to health officials, they are filling prescriptions from doctors who have not conducted physical examinations on their patients.
Thousands of Anabolic Steroids and HGH
In the press release issued by the health authorities, the pharmacy dispensed at least 10,774 prescriptions for anabolic-androgenic steroids and HGH in a six-month period. Most of these steroid prescriptions were shipped outside of Florida and sent to clients in the Virgin Islands, Guam, Finland and Canada. The pharmacy, which is registered as Treasure Coast Specialty Pharmacy Inc., also dispensed 3,703 Schedule II substances mostly Oxycodone.
Doctors Signed Prescriptions without Physical Exam
Authorities also learned that doctors connected with the pharmacy signed prescriptions without physical examinations. These are mostly done through the internet. The almost 11,000 filled prescriptions for steroids and HGH came from 57 physicians and 30 of them came from Florida. The report also states that a Florida doctor signed almost half of the anabolic steroids and human growth hormones which were mostly shipped to international customers.
Internet based steroid suppliers recruited doctors to sign prescriptions for their online customers. They would, in turn, pay these doctors for every signed prescription. These online steroid businesses set up arrangement with pharmacies around the country. Based on the information gathered by the Department of Health, the Treasure Coast Pharmacy filled prescriptions for a Tennessee based clinic and from an online steroid seller in Kansas.
Prescriptions signed without consultation entail great risks. Doctors who signed online prescriptions can’t determine if the patient or client do have a legitimate medical need for the steroids. It is also difficult to determine the appropriate dosages and length of medication. Investigators also learned that some doctors self-prescribed steroid which is a violation of existing state laws.
Immediate closure of the Pharmacy
The DEA prohibits the pharmacy to dispense more steroids and HGH while health officials ordered an immediate closure of the pharmacy. Federal agents and local authorities confiscated several boxes of documents and other pertinent records from the pharmacy. A DEA spokesman told a local media that the raid is part of an on-going federal investigation and no arrests have been made. The owners of the pharmacy can still appeal the closure order according to the health department’s press release.
Pharmacy Linked to Steroid Cases
Online sources revealed that the Treasure Coast Pharmacy was implicated in other federal investigation specifically the case of Signature Pharmacy in Orlando. There was also another report that the pharmacy produced steroid candies which alarmed the DEA because it may land in the hands of children.
The said steroid candies allegedly contain the popular steroid Stanozolol. Discussion in bodybuilding forums also revealed that the said pharmacy dispense various anabolic steroids like topical and injectable testosterone, nandrolone, and stanozolol
[...] medicines. In Florida for example, health and federal authorities raided and closed a famous pharmacy for dispensing thousands of anabolic steroids and controlled substances. It was learned that the [...]
[...] medicines. In Florida for example, health and federal authorities raided and closed a famous pharmacy for dispensing thousands of anabolic steroids and controlled substances. It was learned that the [...]