Officials crackdown on steroids in China

Beijing -- U.S. and international authorities are eying several Chinese firms distributing performance enhancing drugs over the Internet.

Officials with the Chinese Food and Drug Administration say they are cracking down on companies accused of exporting performance enhancing drugs, such as steroids and human growth hormone, in response to pressure from the United States and international sporting officials, The Washington Post said Wednesday.

The issue emerges just eight months before the start of the summer Olympics in Beijing. There is confusion over FDA regulations that some say are vague and open to exploitation.

Chinese pharmaceutical companies may only distribute the drugs to licensed customers, but chemical factories that manufacture precursors and raw materials do not fall under that legislation, creating a loophole, the Post said.

A U.S. pharmaceutical company used Chinese raw materials to manufacture designer steroids used by athletes in the 2000 Summer Games and the 2003 track and field World Championship.

--
Copyright 2007 by United Press International.