Check My Stero - Participatory Science

Steroids and anabolics are products whose sale is regulated or even prohibited. However, the rapid growth of online trading has made it easy to order these products. Unfortunately, most online sales sites are illegal, and the quality of the products ordered is not guaranteed.

The available data compiled by national and international authorities mainly concern the tip of the iceberg, with the results of seizures made by national and international customs and law enforcement agencies.   

Independent research is essential for an accurate assessment of the quality of steroids and anabolics available on the market, whatever their origin.

In response to this public health challenge, Pharmanalyse has launched "Check My Stero", the first participatory science campaign in the field of steroids and anabolics. Participatory science, involving collaboration between scientists and citizens, is a powerful and indispensable lever in the fight against the health risks associated with the consumption of products of dubious quality.

What is the "Check My Stero" participatory science campaign?

Pharmanalyse is organizing a campaign to mobilize the public to carry out a study on the quality of steroids and anabolics, in order to obtain a picture of the reality of products on the market. Public participation is essential to obtain steroids and anabolics from the various distribution channels, whether legal or illegal.

This information is fundamental to our understanding of the scale of the steroid and anabolic trade. In view of the high health risks for consumers, it is essential to establish a precise picture of the situation, which the authorities are only partially aware of.

How can I take part in the "Check My Stero" campaign?

• Each participant orders this analysis and sends his or her product to be analyzed anonymously, together with precise information on the steroid or anabolic and its origin.
• Our laboratory analyzes the product to confirm the nature of the active ingredient and determine its quantity in the steroid or anabolic.
• The results and information are presented in a summary report accessible to the public and forwarded to national and international authorities.
• Each participant receives the results of the analysis of his or her product.

Quels sont les délais pour la réalisation des analyses ?

Steroids and anabolics received as part of the "Check My Stero" campaign are stored in optimal conditions. They are then serially analyzed within a year of receipt. Once the analysis has been carried out, each participant receives the results of his or her product's analysis by email.

How much does it cost to take part in the "Check My Stero" campaign?

The analysis of steroids and anabolics is costly in terms of equipment and human resources. For this reason, a contribution is requested to finance this research work:

• The purchase of reference standards to identify and quantify active ingredients
• The development of precise and reliable methodologies for the analysis of active ingredients
• Analysis of steroids and anabolics received in the "Check My Stero" participatory campaign
• Review of steroid and anabolic analysis results
• Compiling data and information on the products analyzed
• Drawing up the annual summary report of the "Check My Stero" participatory campaign
• Communication and distribution of the annual summary report

Why take part in the "Check My Stero" campaign?

Because steroids and anabolics are illegal to possess and use, online trading on dubious sites is flourishing. Buying steroids and anabolics on these sites presents a high health risk for users. Getting involved in the "Check My Stero" campaign will help to study the quality of the products available and to establish an accurate mapping of the quality of anabolic steroids.