“Emerging anabolic androgenic steroid markets; the prominence of social media”

Cox, Luke; Gibbs, Nicholas; Turnock, Luke A.

doi:10.1080/09687637.2023.2176286

Cited by 15 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…Research monitoring of cryptomarkets has found that PIEDs/weight loss drugs comprised 5.8% of listings on cryptomarkets [19], which was smaller than the market share for cannabis (30%), but similar to that for illicit meth/amphetamine (also 5.8%). Other research has found that PIEDs are readily available on e‐commerce sites [20] and through social media platforms [21]. This increased availability may mean individuals tend to purchase smaller quantities as and when needed, and is in line with how PIEDs are generally consumed.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Investigating the methods and characteristics of the trafficking of performance and image enhancing drugs in Australia

Dunn,

Bright,

Fletcher

2023

Drug and Alcohol Review

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IntroductionUsing case law, the aims of this study were to document the methods for trafficking of performance and image‐enhancing drugs (PIED) into Australia, and the characteristics of individuals and groups involved.MethodsData was collected from judges' sentencing comments. Searches were conducted using the Australasian Legal Information Institute database across all states in Australia, for the period of January 2010 to December 2021. After removing duplicates and cases which did not meet the inclusion criteria, 31 cases were included in the analysis.ResultsAcross the 31 cases, 37 individuals were named as being involved in the supply and/or trafficking of PIEDs, with three cases involving an unknown number of individuals. One case named four actors involved in the supply and/or trafficking of PIEDs, three cases involved three actors, four cases involved two actors and 17 cases involved one actor. In 20 of the 31 cases, individuals operated alone. Over half (19 of the 37) of the individuals were health professionals. The majority (n = 17) of cases involved prescription as the method of acquisition, while seven cases involved the importation of PIEDs.Discussion and ConclusionThe small number of cases identified, with the majority involving only a single actor, and half of the cases involving those in the medical profession. The findings suggest that discrete occurrences of trafficking involves individuals or small groups that do not appear to be linked to large‐scale networks or networks involving the supply and trafficking of other illicit substances.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Investigating the methods and characteristics of the trafficking of performance and image enhancing drugs in Australia

Dunn,

Bright,

Fletcher

2023

Drug and Alcohol Review

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“…The information exchanges among users were instantaneous observations caught with screenshots; all identifiable characteristics were removed and data anonymized. 30 …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Illegal products containing selective androgen receptor modulators purchased online from Italy: health risks for consumers

Gaudiano,

Aureli,

Manna

et al. 2024

Sexual Medicine

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Background Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are small synthetic drug molecules that are still not approved as medicine in Europe or the United States but are sold on illegal websites to improve sport performance, particularly bodybuilding. Aim To address the quality issues of illegal SARM products and their increasing diffusion in Italy with their potential health risks for consumers. Methods Web-based tools were used to investigate retail websites, trending searches, and information exchange via social media. Thirteen SARM products, purchased on retail websites accessible from Italy, were subject to visual inspection and chemical analysis by mass spectrometry and quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance. Outcomes The primary outcome was demonstration of additional health risks due to the illicit presence of other active ingredients, contamination, and misdosage in SARM products sold on the internet. The secondary outcome was to show the increasing trend of interest in Italy for these products. Results Most websites reported misleading information; specifically, the statement “for research only” was reported notwithstanding indications on dosage and training phases. The trending search showed that interest toward SARMs increased in Italy in the last years. The use of these products is clearly encouraged by the emerging phenomenon of “broscience” as revealed in socials. Visual inspection evidenced nonconform labeling. Qualitative analysis confirmed the presence of the stated SARM in about 70% of samples. In 23% of samples, the expected SARM was not detected but a different one instead, and in 1 sample, no SARMs were detected. Other undeclared pharmaceutical substances (tamoxifen, clomifene, testosterone, epimethandienone, tadalafil) were measured in 30% of samples. The copresence of >1 active substance was observed in >60% of samples. Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance data showed nonuniform content ranging from 30% to 90% of the label claim. Clinical Implications The use of SARMs, in the presence of unexpected life-threatening reactions in persons using the products to increase sport performance, should be assessed. Strengths and Limitations This investigation involved an integrated approach to study SARM products and related sociologic aspects. The main shortcomings are the limited number of samples and retail websites in the clear web investigated. Conclusion SARMs sold online as food supplement–like products represent a health hazard due to the presence of unapproved and undeclared active substances. The presence of contaminants clearly indicates the absence of good manufacturing practices in the production, which increases the health risks.

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“…45 When a user expresses interest in a particular topic, a series of recommended videos with similar content are presented, resembling the snowball sampling technique commonly employed in qualitative research. 46 Although the platform took initiatives to be transparent about the algorithm underlying the FYP, the actual workings of this algorithm remain confidential, leading many users to speculate about its operation. 47…”

Section: Relevant General Aspectsmentioning

confidence: 99%

TikTok and Transparency Obligations in the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) – A Scoping Review

Kosters,

Gstrein

2024

ZEuS

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The Digital Services Act (DSA) entered into force in November 2022 and is directly applicable across the European Union since the beginning of 2024. The DSA imposes special rules on very large online platforms (VLOPs) such as TikTok. This study examines the transparency obligations for VLOPs set forth in various articles of the DSA. A scoping review identified three key issues related to TikTok’s adherence to transparency: content moderation, advertisement and terms and conditions. A comparative analysis was conducted between these identified issues and the specific obligations outlined in the DSA. The main finding of this study reveals distinct dimensions of transparency that have been addressed in the existing literature. The first layer includes the disclosure of information, but the information disclosed is often incomprehensible to the public. Therefore, calls have intensified for transparency at the second layer that includes comprehensibility of the disclosed information. The forthcoming DSA is expected to address this second dimension of transparency by requiring TikTok to provide more precise information regarding their content moderation, advertising, and terms and conditions. Finally, the literature indicates the emergence of a third layer of transparency, wherein information made public should also be tailored to the kind of audience it is made transparent to. In terms of ensuring the clarity and comprehensibility of the conditions and restrictions of the platform for children, the DSA also appears to advocate for enhanced transparency at level 3.

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“Emerging anabolic androgenic steroid markets; the prominence of social media”

Cited by 15 publications

References 70 publications

Investigating the methods and characteristics of the trafficking of performance and image enhancing drugs in Australia

Investigating the methods and characteristics of the trafficking of performance and image enhancing drugs in Australia

Illegal products containing selective androgen receptor modulators purchased online from Italy: health risks for consumers

TikTok and Transparency Obligations in the EU Digital Services Act (DSA) – A Scoping Review

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