Bodybuilding Drugs? Illegal Online Sales of 'Steroids' Surge 18-Fold in 3 Years

United Future Party's Kang Ki-yoon: "Strict Management System Needed for Side Effects Like Sexual Dysfunction and Death"

The investigation team of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety is disclosing products related to smuggled steroid preparations seized in April 2019. [Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Choi Hyun-joo] The number of cases of illegal online sales of steroids, which require a prescription from a medical professional such as a doctor, has surged 18 times in the past three years.

According to the recent four-year illegal steroid sales detection status submitted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) to Kang Ki-yoon, a member of the Future United Party (Changwon-si Seongsan) on the 26th, the cases increased annually from 272 in 2016, 344 in 2017, 600 in 2018, to 4,975 in 2019. Last year, the number was 18 times higher compared to 2016.

According to Representative Kang, all steroids detected by the MFDS are anabolic steroids. In the past, there were quite a few cases where these were secretly distributed among athletes or bodybuilders to improve their performance.

However, anabolic steroids have recently become known among the general public as a "body-building drug" that can help achieve a muscular physique in a short period, leading to a rapid increase in illegal sales.

According to Article 50 of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, selling anabolic steroids or similar substances without a doctor's prescription can result in imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 50 million KRW. Even if sold by a pharmacist, selling without a doctor's prescription can lead to imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW.

Representative Kang warned, "Due to the side effects of anabolic steroids, women who take them may develop facial hair and a deepened voice, along with various sexual dysfunctions and diseases such as liver cancer. There are also testimonies that excessive dosage has led to deaths."

He added, "Given the side effects and risks of these drugs and the current serious misuse, there is a need to strengthen the management system."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.