Counterfeit drugs and pharmaceutical preparations seized from the black market among bodybuilders

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify active ingredients present in counterfeit drugs and pharmaceutical preparations seized from the black market among bodybuilders. Preparations in closed or sealed packaging with different batch numbers ( n  = 74) and two preparations without labels were analyzed. Methods: The identification scheme was based on reversed-phase liquid chromatography with a photodiode array UV detector and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Methanolic sample extracts of tablets, capsules, oral jellies and water–based injectables were chromatographed on a ChromSpher 5 C18 column using a gradient program of triehylammonium phosphate and acetonitrile as mobile phases and were monitored at the wavelengths 220 nm and 254 nm. Oil-based injectables ( n  = 41) were extracted with hexane and methanol. The methanolic sample extracts and diluted supernatant layers were injected into an Agilent 6890 N gas chromatograph with a fused silica CPSIL 8CB low-bleed capillary column and Agilent 5973 inert mass selective detector operated in full-scan mode. The identified compound(s) were checked against the active ingredient(s) declared on the label. Conclusion: Packaging from counterfeits produced in underground labs cannot be visually distinguished from packaging originating from legitimate pharmaceutical companies. Out of 74 labeled products, the content of 25 (33.8%) did not match the label. Anabolic androgenic steroids are commonly found on the black market among bodybuilders, predominately esterified in oil-based injectables. Out of 40 steroidal oily solutions, the active ingredients of 21 (52.5%) did not match the label: one preparation did not contain an active compound, 20 contained other or more active ingredients. The additional compounds were often present in smaller quantities, which could be indicative of contamination. Active ingredients such as methandrostenolone, sildenafil, tamoxifen, quinine, clomiphene, dehydroepiandrosterone, anastrazole, clenbuterol, stanozolol, oxandrolone, liothyronine, finasteride and melatonin were identified in tablets, oral jellies and water-based injectables.