SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1558

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Inslee, P. King, Van Luven, Appelwick, Beck, Wineberry, Wood, Rector, Smith, Brekke, Baugher, Winsley, Leonard, Todd, Ballard, Nutley, Rayburn, Jacobsen, Hankins, Braddock, Grant, Locke, Brumsickle, Jesernig, Wang, Betrozoff, Wolfe, Brough, Horn, Basich, Bowman and Ferguson)

Regulating use of steroids.

House Committe on Health Care

Senate Committee on Health Care & Corrections

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 21, 1989; March 22, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators West, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Johnson, Kreidler, Niemi, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Scott Plack (786-7409)

                  March 23, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & CORRECTIONS, MARCH 22, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Some steroids are synthetic derivatives of male hormones.  They can be used by athletes to build up muscles.  Their use has been linked to serious side effects such as mood swings, severe aches, baldness, sterility, abnormal liver function, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and, possibly, cancer of the liver.

The increase in the inappropriate use of steroids, especially among teenage boys, has been alarming.  A recent study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA, December 15, 1988), indicated that as many as half a million teenage boys may be using steroids, primarily for body building.  Further, most obtained these drugs through illegal sources.

There is no specific regulation of steroid drugs in current law.

SUMMARY:

Steroids are defined as anabolic steroids of specified chemical derivatives, androgens, or growth hormones.  The Board of Pharmacy may add or delete other steroid chemical derivatives by rule and must inform the Legislature of the rationale.

Practitioners are prohibited from prescribing steroids solely for the purpose of enhancing athletic ability without a medical necessity to do so.  Patient medical records must be maintained showing the diagnosis and purpose of any prescription for steroids.  A violation of this requirement is a gross misdemeanor.

Possession of up to 200 tablets or eight cubic centimeter bottles of steroids is punishable as a gross misdemeanor.  Possession of greater amounts is punishable as a class C felony.

Public schools must post signs on the premises of athletic departments advising students of the health risks of using steroids to enhance athletic ability and the penalties provided by law.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Specific mention of drugs classified as steroids is removed and the Board of Pharmacy is directed to identify such drugs in rule.  Technical changes are made to clarify that practitioners are prohibited from dispensing steroids for nonmedical purposes.

Senate Committee - Testified: Lars Hennum, Pharmacists of Washington (pro); Don Williams, Pharmacy Board (pro); Cliff Webster, Washington State Medical Association