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REMARKS BY:
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TOMMY G. THOMPSON, SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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PLACE:
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HHS Auditorium, Washington, D.C.
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DATE:
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March 11, 2004
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Androstenedione Press Conference
Good afternoon. I would like to thank Senators Hatch and Biden, Congressmen Sweeney and Conyers, and Dr. McClellan for joining me. I would also like to thank DEA Administrator Tandy. We've brought together such a wonderful, bipartisan group of people. I'd also like to acknowledge the Office of National Drug Control Policy and Dr. Andrea Barthwell, who is with us today.
Today, I am pleased to announce that we are cracking down on companies that manufacture, market, and distribute products containing androstenedione - also known as Andro.
Today we are sending letters to 23 companies asking them to stop selling products containing androstenedione as dietary supplements and warning them that they could face enforcement actions if they do not take the appropriate steps.
Androstenedione is a steroid precursor, which means that the body turns it into a steroid. Because Andro acts like a steroid, it poses the same health risks as steroids.
Today's action is part of our continuing effort to protect Americans from consuming unhealthy products.
Since December 2002, we have issued 75 letters to firms who made misleading claims about their products for treatment of life-threatening diseases such as cancer, lupus, and heart disease. We have seized approximately $9 million worth of dietary supplement products that were promoted to treat a variety of serious medical conditions. Last December we announced that we are prohibiting sales of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids due to the risks of illness and injury associated with them. We have increased enforcement actions against fraudulent marketing of dietary supplements. And in 2003 we proposed Good Manufacturing Practices for all dietary supplements. We may complete the rule sometime this year.
President Bush, in his recent State of the Union address, emphasized the Administration's commitment to encouraging positive role models for our children. And for many children, athletes are their most influential role models after their parents. So the President challenged sports leagues to send the right message, and to get rid of steroids immediately.
Our surveys show that about one out of forty high school seniors reported using Andro in the past year. For sophomores, the rate is one in fifty.
The use of performance-enhancing drugs in football, basketball, hockey, baseball, and other sports is dangerous, and it sends the wrong message. It says that there are shortcuts to accomplishment. It says that performance is more important than character.
But in fact, the best and safest way to get faster and stronger is to eat well, to exercise, and to avoid risky behaviors.
We will continue our aggressive steps to protect consumers from products and drugs that promise greater performance but instead put health at great risk.
If firms refuse to cease distributing these products, we may seize products, pursue injunctions, or seek criminal sanctions.
Dr. McClellan and I have also encouraged Congress to pass the bill sponsored by Senators Hatch and Biden that would classify products containing Andro as controlled substances. This would enable the DEA to regulate these under the Controlled Substances Act, similar to how steroids are regulated.
Products containing Andro may seem to have short-term benefits, but the science shows us that they create real and significant health risks. The amount of Andro needed to build muscle or enhance performance is enough to put the consumer at risk of serious long-term health consequences. That is why we are taking action today.
I would now like to turn the podium over to Senator Orrin Hatch.
Last Revised: March 19, 2004
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