[Anabolics and French legislation: history and the present].

Abstract

In 1975, the French law on veterinary drug products was adopted. In 1976, the Ceyrac law prohibited the use of oestrogens. After various scandals, Parliament voted unanimously in favour of the "Rocard" law in 1984. This law defined the use of anabolics very strictly. In 1985, the EEC decided to ban anabolics. This ban has resulted in the illegal use of many kinds of substances, a situation which is difficult to control. This has exposed public health to risk, and has perturbed commercial rules and regulations within the EEC countries.