Report: Biogenesis tied to forged prescriptions, HGH
The operator of a south Florida clinic who is linked to supplying performancing-enhancing drugs to Alex Rodriguez and other athletes used forged prescriptions from doctors, ESPN reported Friday.
ESPN also reported that it obtained documents from the anti-aging Biogenesis clinic that tied Rodriguez, San Diego Padres catcher Yasmani Grandal and minor-league pitcher Cesar Carrillo to human growth hormone and Actovegin, a drug from calf's blood that is not approved in the United States.
Anthony Bosch, who ran Biogenesis, acquired HGH and other banned substances from prescriptions that had signatures from unknowing doctors, ESPN reported in "Outside the Lines". The scripts included stamped names of physicians and their medical license numbers.
Grandal and Carrillo have both been suspended by Major League Baseball. Grandal is sitting out the first 50 games of the season not because of HGH or Actovegin use but for elevated levels or testosterone. Carrillo was banned for 100 games because of his link to Biogenesis.
MLB has yet to take any action against Rodriguez, who is recovering from hip surgery and is not expected back with the New York Yankees until at least the All-Star break.
Major League Baseball has filed a civil lawsuit and the Florida Department of Health is investigated the now-shuttered clinic. Bosch could face criminal charges.
