I have previously written about how the current climate of steroid hysteria has limited the availability of anabolic steroids for medically indicated purposes. I’ve also posted lists of compounding pharmacies that, in the face of limited availability and increased federal pressure, continue to sell anabolic steroids to patients who have a genuine medical need for them.
Today MESO-Rx has learned that at least one compounding pharmacy has contacted bodybuilding, steroid, and health websites requesting the removal of all references to the company, their website and the (anabolic steroid) product(s) they sell.
I spoke with the chief marketing officer for the compounding pharmacy to find out more information. I was told that the company was concerned about receiving adverse attention from publicity of anabolic steroid sales. The company was adamantly dedicated to only serving the populations (e.g. HIV, wasting) that truly needed steroids for medical purposes. The publication of steroid information in connection with their company could possibly compromise that goal, especially on a bodybuilding and/or steroid-related website.
It seems highly unusual for the chief marketing officer to try and stifle publicity for one of their products. But it is understandable. If they publicize that they sell nandrolone decanoate (for example), then they are likely to attract adverse attention from (1) bodybuilders and athletes seeking steroids for performance enhancement or (2) federal and/or state authorities who may suspect they are selling steroids in a manner similar to what has been alleged in other publicized compounding pharmacy steroid scandal cases.
But if a steroid like Deca Durabolin (nandrolone decanoate) is so difficult to find from a legitimate (compounding) pharmacy AND the (compounding) pharmacies that do sell it do not publicize (and actually prohibit promotion of the) fact, then how will patients (e.g. HIV/AIDS) who really need it for medical reasons be able to find it? And as of this writing, this information is not readily available on Google; the steroid sources for Deca Durabolin are practically all outside the United States (thereby making it illegal for U.S. citizens to purchase even with a valid medical prescription.)
This is not good for patients who need steroids for their health and well-being.
Since nandrolone decanoate is no longer manufacturer by any U.S. pharmaceutical company, it is difficult to find in the United States with availability limited to compounding pharmacies. Members of Vergel’s Yahoo Group PozHealth have researched and identified only five compounding pharmacies nationwide that still offer nandrolone decanoate with a valid medical prescription (and in some cases, additional requirements) ["Nandrolone Prices at Compounding Pharmacies," March 28).
Prices of a 10mL vial Nandrolone Decanoate (200 mg/ml) at Compounding Pharmacies
[NOTE: Pricing and compounding pharmacy has been removed per request. The publication of such information has regrettably caused adverse attention for at least one compounding pharmacy.]
Two other compounding pharmacies have ceased production of nandrolone decanoate due to federal pressure and/or limited availability of the raw materials (Applied Pharmacy Services and Leiter’s Pharmacy, respectively).
We desperately need a rational discussion on anabolics steroids to replace the steroid demonization and steroid hysteria sweeping our country. Legislation and federal actions involving anabolic steroids over the past several years have arguably done nothing to decrease steroid use among professional athletes or high school athletes; the war on steroids has indisputably compromised the available of anabolic steroids for medical purposes in affected populations. This is the real crime.
Film producer Julius Nasso denies any mafia involvement in Lowen’s Pharmacy, its compounding business or its large scale distribution of anabolic steroids and growth hormone. Julius Nasso was a long-time friend and former business partner of the principal owner and pharmacist John Rossi, who apparently committed suicide last month. While Nasso still owns the building where Lowen’s Pharmacy is located, his attorney claims Nasso has not had any ownership stake since 1988.
Nasso is a reputed Gambino crime family associate and pleaded guilty to an extortion conspiracy involving using mob muscle to shake down actor Steven Segal.
Nasso maintains there was no organized crime involvement with Lowen’s Pharmacy; John Rossi and Rossi’s son-in-law acted independently to start selling compounded anabolic steroids and growth hormone in 2004.
The drug store’s involvement in compounding steroids and human growth hormone appears to date back only a few years.
Court papers, filed in connection with a civil lawsuit, indicated that the pharmacy - an old-fashioned, 55-year-old shop in Brooklyn’s Bay Ridge section - acquired the equipment, expertise and client lists of another compounding pharmacy in California in 2004. The owner of that business, now defunct, also provided training for some of Lowen’s staff.
Rossi and his son-in-law expanded the compounding business by attending conferences on “anti-aging medicine” in Florida, where they struck up partnerships to provide drugs to a small group of health clinics that sold steroids and hormones over the Internet.
