HEALTH RISKS ARISING FROM NON-PRESCRIBED PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUG USE

NOTICE PAPER NO. 115

NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER

FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON 15 OCTOBER 2025

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat

MP for Aljunied GRC

Question No. 511

To ask the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) what public-health risks arise from non-prescribed performance-enhancing drug (PED) use such as human growth hormone, clenbuterol, trenbolone, and anabolic steroids, particularly among youths; (b) what targeted education exists within gyms and Institutes of Higher Learning to counter normalisation; and (c) how are these programmes’ effectiveness and behavioural outcomes measured.

Answer

1.            Androgenic steroids and human growth hormones are prescription-only medicines which should only be used under medical supervision.  These products are not approved for enhancing physical performance and individuals should not be consuming these drugs beyond their prescribed purposes. These drugs can cause serious side effects when used without medical supervision, including stroke, serious heart, liver and kidney problems. Members of the public who encounter the illegal supply or illegitimate use of these drugs should contact the Enforcement Branch of the Health Sciences Authority.

Anti-Doping Singapore (ADS) is working with Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) to deliver anti-doping education outreach programmes to their student-athletes. The aim is to create greater awareness among the student-athlete population over time on the consequences of abusing performance-enhancing drugs. Following the roll-out of these programmes, ADS will continue to work with IHLs to determine their effectiveness.