The UK is unique in its response to the use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and associated image and performance enhancing drugs (IPED)s. Since 1996 these drugs have been controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act (1971) as class C drugs and are now within schedule 4 (ii) of the amended Act (see note 1) making all supply offences (e.g. production, supply, possession with intent to supply) illegal with a potential prison sentence of 14 years and/or an unlimited fine, while possession for personal use remains legal (see note 2). These steps were a deliberate strategy to avoid the criminalisation of large numbers of (predominantly) men who were otherwise not engaged in any criminal activity. Furthermore, it was felt that criminalising personal possession would act as a barrier for those people using these drugs to then engage with health and support services.

The established network of needle and syringe programmes within community drug services and pharmacies (initially for people using heroin and stimulants), has witnessed the steady increase of people who use IPEDs accessing, thereby justifying this legislative decision. This has resulted in a unique environment in the UK. So, while much of the evidence in relation to the pharmacological effects of IPEDs is generalisable, research specific to the UK is also essential if we are to better understand the issues associated with use and inform appropriate services and harm reduction responses.

As part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Development Grant, we analysed the last five years of UK research in the field of IPEDs to identify recent trends in areas of research and better understand potential research gaps. The findings are in a paper (currently under review) for the Harm Reduction Journal.

Here we provide a list of papers published by authors from the UK. Inclusion criteria was developed to capture published papers and reports with a focus on the use of AAS and associated IPEDs outside competitive sport (excluding those whose sole focus was doping control/drug detection). A link to the paper’s full reference, abstract and full text (in the case of open access articles/reports) is provided. We have included an indication of the main foci of the paper, enabling a quick search for information on specific topics, however, this is a subjective categorisation and most papers will hold information on many different topics.

This will be updated on a quarterly basis. In addition to searches of the relevant databases, we ask that all readers and authors send details of any new UK papers when they are published (or anything we may have missed from the last 5 years). Please send information to: jimmcveigh@anabolicsteroids.org.uk

Note 1:
In November 1994 the Home Secretary accepted the advice of the ACMD and confirmed that anabolic steroids would be brought under the control of the Misuse of Drugs Act as Class C drugs. They are now controlled under Schedule 4 (ii) of the amended 2001 Act, which includes androgenic and anabolic steroids, clenbuterol, chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), non-human chorionic gonadotrophin, somatotropin, somatrem, and somatropin. For more information on legislation visit https://www.ipedinfo.co.uk/uk-steroid-law/

Note 2:
Schedule 4 (ii) drugs can be possessed as long as they are clearly for personal use. Drugs in this schedule can also be imported or exported for personal use where a person himself carries out that importation or exportation. As from April 2012 it is no longer permitted to buy steroids and associated drugs from outside the UK, through internet and mail order sites and have the products delivered.