Despite having laws to govern pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution, Thailand finds itself entangled in the global steroid trade. Its role as a major player in the supply chain underscores the need for international collaboration to mitigate the adverse effects of the illegal drug trade and maintain the integrity of pharmaceutical production and distribution. Adulterated products, sloppy quality control and the absence of stringent regulations all pose significant health risks for people using steroids.
The ease with which drugs such as nandrolone decanoate and methandienon are available in Thailand makes it a preferred source for anabolic-androgenic steroids (synthetically produced variants of the naturally occurring male sex hormone testosterone) used to build muscle mass. The drugs can also be paired with other substances such as fat burners and appetite suppressants in a practice known as stacking. The ACC’s Illicit Drug Data Report indicates that the US is the major source of anabolic-androgenic steroids seized in Australia, but Thailand continues to be a prominent embarkation point.
Steroids, when taken improperly and over a long period of time, can have detrimental health consequences for users including kidney problems and hair loss. Oral steroids can increase the risk of glue ear, a condition in which fluid collects in the middle ear cavity and affects hearing. This may result in speech delays and behavioural difficulties for children.
Another potentially harmful side effect is the appearance of lumps under the skin. This can be a sign of a tumour, or a hepatocellular carcinoma, a malignant tumour that forms in the liver. A hepatocellular carcinoma is a serious illness that can cause life-threatening complications for patients. Steroids Thailand