The fabrication, import, distribution and sale of medicines that contain androgens and anabolic steroids will be restricted in accordance with the international standards, as the Cabinet decided on Wednesday, IPN reports.

In the Cabinet’s meeting, Minister of Health Ala Nemerenco said that the use of large doses of such drugs rather than of therapeutic drugs is a risky practice that has negative effects on consumers’ health.

Statistics show the imports, internal production and sales in drugstores of medicines containing androgens and anabolic steroids are much larger than consumption in hospitals. This means that persons who practice sports and want to increase the muscle mass use such pharmaceuticals in large quantities.

According to the Ministry of Health, the drugstores in Moldova will be now supplied with substances that contain androgens and anabolic steroids according to therapeutic needs and the population will not have easy access to such substances in non-medical conditions. The drugs will be purchased annually by public tender contests for medical institutions and patients who receive ambulatory treatment.

The bill is to be presented to Parliament for consideration.