Beware of fake drugs, muscle men told

In a joint operation last month, medicines inspectors from the Department of Health and officers from the PSNI drugs squad seized a large quantity of medicines commonly used by the body-building fraternity following searches of a house in Ballymoney.

The Department of Health has now issued a warning following the discovery that at least some of the drugs are counterfeit.

The haul included 53 boxes of Sustanon, an anabolic steroid and 166 containers of an injectable preparation purporting to be Nubain Injection, an analgesic used to relieve moderate to severe pain.

Inquiries with the licence-holder, Bristol Myers Squibb, have established the Nubain was counterfeit and of unknown provenance.

The Department of Health said it was concerned that any users of the product are warned of the "potential serious health risks of using a product of such questionable safety and quality".

The drug found was packed in 10ml vials bearing a batch number BA561 and an expiry date of December 2005.

"Anyone in possession of Nubain bearing the above batch number or any steroids obtained from unapproved sources must cease using these products immediately and seek medical advice, " the Department warned.

Investigations are continuing to try to establish the origin of the fake product and to establish whether other products seized are genuine or pose a health hazard.

Chief Pharmacist Dr Norman Morrow said he welcomed the withdrawal from circulation of the drugs as they "pose a potentially serious health risk".