Gym Owner Who Administered Steroid Injections and Sold Drugs to Members Fined

Fine of 2 Million Won Imposed for Violations of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and Others

A health club operator who administered steroid injections for six weeks and sold pharmaceuticals to customers at his fitness center was sentenced to a fine.

On the 29th, Judge Park Hyunjin of the Chuncheon District Court Wonju Branch Criminal Division 2 announced that Mr. A (51), who was indicted for violating the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and the Medical Service Act, was sentenced to a fine of 2 million won by summary order.

Mr. A, who runs a fitness center in Wonju-si, Gangwon Province, was prosecuted for practicing medicine without a license by administering steroid injections twice a week for six weeks to a customer, Mr. B (53), in early July 2018, despite not having the qualifications to perform medical acts.

In addition, in June of the same year, Mr. A, who was not a pharmacy owner, sold pharmaceuticals such as Dianabol and Tamoxifen to Mr. B, who was struggling with impaired glucose tolerance, claiming "it helps if taken," for 540,000 won, adding charges of violating the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. Impaired glucose tolerance refers to a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes, i.e., prediabetes. Dianabol taken by Mr. B is an oral steroid preparation, and Tamoxifen is a breast cancer treatment drug; neither is a treatment for impaired glucose tolerance.

Judge Park stated, "Both the sale of pharmaceuticals by a non-pharmacy owner and unlicensed medical practice are recognized as guilty violations of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and the Medical Service Act."

Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, based on Article 47-4 of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, 'Special Measures for Establishing Order in the Distribution of Prescription Drugs,' since July 21 of last year, not only those who sell illegally distributed steroids but also those who purchase them are subject to punishment. This is a measure to address the problem of pharmaceutical misuse and strengthen management, and a fine of 1 million won is imposed on those who buy illegally distributed steroids.

Anabolic steroids and other steroid preparations are prescription drugs that must be used under a doctor's diagnosis and prescription, but there are many cases of illegal purchase and administration to build muscle in a short period. Anabolic steroids carry risks of side effects such as male sexual dysfunction if misused or abused.

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