A prominent Canadian sports medicine doctor has been charged by the RCMP, following a search of his Toronto medical facilities two months ago.
Anthony Galea has treated a long list of top athletes including sprinter Donovan Bailey and figure skater Patrick Chan, as well as U.S. swimmer Dara Torres and NFL players. He has also treated Tiger Woods and is the head team physician for the Toronto Argonauts football team.
Now, the 51-year-old doctor faces four criminal charges, following an RCMP investigation that began in September.
According to an RCMP news release issued on Wednesday morning, Galea has been charged with:
- Selling an unapproved drug (Actovegin) contrary to Section 9 (1) of the Food and Drugs Act
- Conspiracy to import an unapproved drug contrary to Section 465 (1)(c) of the Criminal Code of Canada
- Conspiracy to export a drug contrary to Section 465 (3) of the Criminal Code of Canada
- Smuggling goods into Canada contrary to Section 159 of the Customs Act
The RCMP said it started an investigation into Galea's practice in September, when Galea's associate was apprehended leaving Canada with Actovegin -- a drug that is extracted from calf blood, but is not approved for use in Canada. Actovegin is approved in some European countries and is available in Canada, despite not being approved here.
On October 15, police searched Galea's medical facilities in west-end Toronto, which are located south of Pearson International Airport. The search "resulted in the RCMP seizing unapproved drugs, believed to be Actovegin, from the doctor's office," according to the news release.
RCMP investigators allege that Galea illegally imported and smuggled drugs into Canada. It is also alleged that these drugs were administered to his patients. Investigators also claim that Galea conspired to export these drugs to the U.S.
None of the allegations against Galea have been proven in court. He is due to appear in a Toronto courtroom on Friday.
Before the charges were officially made public on Wednesday, Galea's lawyer, Brian Greenspan said police found a "small amount" of HGH and that it was not for athletes.
Greenspan said Galea takes the drug himself and uses it to treat "non-competing individuals" who are over the age 40.
"His primary practice, particularly when it comes to athletes is in addressing their injuries," Greenspan said Tuesday.
"He's not engaged or involved in performance-enhancement."
The RCMP news release indicates that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency is the "lead U.S. agency in this matter." Health Canada has also been assisting the Mounties with their investigation.
With files from The Canadian Press
