Dr Anthony Galea a Canadian physician is now being probed by the FBI for possibly having provided performance enhancing drugs to athletes in the US.
His attorney, Brian Greenspan, said he expected Galea will face several charges in a Canadian court but said he was unaware that the FBI was involved, “He looks forward to being vindicated,” Greenspan said. “He’s a physician who has always engaged in lawful practices. He’s never been involved in any improprieties, any misconduct, and any unlawful conduct.”
The investigation with Dr Galea started when his assistant was stopped at the Canada-US border and found to be in possession of both human growth hormone and actovegin in Galea’s bag. The use or sell of Actovegin is illegal in the US.
Galea, says his lawyer, has often used HCG himself and has often prescribed it to many of his patients to help them recover from injuries and improve their quality of life.
“It’s a therapeutic substance that extends life, and in his view the literature supports the prudent use of HGH in older people that enhances their general health,” said Greenspan.
Meanwhile the FBI has gained access to Galea’s computer and are pondering over records which indicate that several professional athletes were provided with these illegal performance enhancing agents.
The Times reported that Galea also visited the now more “famous” Tiger Woods several times last year and may have administered actovegin to help Tiger recover from his knee surgery.
Actovegin is a complex mixture of proteins and hormones extracted from calf blood and is said to help athletes recover from injury. Anecdotal reports from athletes who have used actovegin claim that it works in stimulating recovery from muscle and joint injuries. The product is also prohibitively expensive.