Body-builders in Northern Ireland were warned today they could be in serious danger after the discovery of a large haul of fake drugs.
Medicines Inspectors from the Department of Health and the Police Service have seized a large quantity of medicines commonly used by the body-building fraternity and discovered at least some are counterfeit.
The haul included a wide range of anabolic steroids and a substantial quantity of an injectable preparation purporting to be Nubain Injection, an analgesic used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
Enquiries with the licence-holder, Bristol Myers Squibb, had established the Nubain was counterfeit and of unknown provenance.
The Department of Health said it was concerned that any users of the product were 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.
PA