The Endocrine Society and its patient education affiliate, The Hormone Foundation, support the recent Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ban on the sale of androstenedione, a steroid precursor commonly known as "andro." The sales ban will take effect on April 12, 2004, unless pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers can prove that it is not a danger to consumers.

In January 2004, The Endocrine Society's Government Relations Committee identified hormone abuse/misuse as a legislative priority and has taken several steps to help prevent abuse through legislative and regulatory advocacy.

"Protecting our youth from the toxic and progressive effect of hormone abuse is a key goal of the Society and its outreach programs," said Dr. E. Chester Ridgway, President of The Endocrine Society.

In addition to the FDA's action, Congress is considering legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) that would end over-the-counter sales of andro, as well as a new steroid named tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) and subject them to the same prescription restrictions that apply to anabolic steroids.