Designer Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2014 (H.R. 4771)

In December 2014, President Obama signed into law H.R. 4771, the Designer Anabolic Steroid Control Act (DASCA) of 2014. The DASCA amends the Controlled Substance Act and adds over 20 specified substances to the list of those included within the definition of “anabolic steroid” and provides that a drug or hormone substance (other than estrogens, progestins, corticosteroids, and dehydroepiandrosterone) that is not listed and that is derived from, or has a chemical structure substantially similar to, an anabolic steroid that is listed, shall be considered an anabolic steroid for purposes of such Act if it:

  1. Has been creased or manufactured with the intent of producing a substance that either promotes muscle growth or otherwise causes a pharmacological effect similar to testosterone; or
  2. Has been, or is intended to be, promoted in any manner suggesting that consuming it will promote any pharmacological effect similar to that of testosterone.
The DASCA excludes a drug or hormonal substance from the above definition if it is:
  1. An herb or other botanical, a concentrate, metabolite, or extract of, or a constituent isolated directly from, an herb or other botanical, or a combination of two or more such substances; or
  2. A dietary ingredient for purposes of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) and is not anabolic or androgenic.
The DASCA authorizes the Attorney General to issue an order adding a drug or other substance to the definition of “anabolic steroid” upon finding that: (1) the substance satisfies the criteria for being considered an anabolic steroid, and (2) such addition will assist in preventing abuse or misuse of the substance. Such an order by the Attorney General is in effect 30 days following the publication of the temporary scheduling notice, and will be in force for 24 months.

The DASCA authorizes fines of up to $500,000 per violation for importing, exporting, manufacturing, distributing or dispensing anabolic steroids.