Here are some of the most common questions asked to IAS; they are in the broader context of “doing business with IAS.
This question is answered in its own section called Why Choose IAS? Please click here to see the answer, also testimonials from physicians and patients can been seen by clicking here.
We have provided a list of the professional people interested and working within the field, please click here to see it.
IAS has been offering anti-aging medicine since 1991. The founders have been directly involved with anti-aging products since 1985 and as such have built up a wealth of knowledge and connections in this very new but rapidly expanding field.
Most countries allow the importation of personal supplies of ethical pharmaceuticals, there are varying conditions, e.g. some countries will require a physician involved. That doesn’t mean that you must have a prescription, most physicians don’t know how to write a prescription for a product that is “unapproved” in their country, but will however help the patient with its administration. However you must beware of controlled substances (see question about controlled substances in this FAQ section).
The bottom line is you must check your individual status for the products you require in your home country. We know for example that there are problems with DHEA in Canada and Australia where they decided that it is an anabolic steroid. You can ask IAS in case we know of problems but the responsibility lies with the purchaser (see IAS Terms and Conditions).
Check the two listings on this site (Books and Professionals) then check out some of the other bodies involved in the anti-aging field and consider joining their mailing lists for newsletters etc. Some of the publications listed are highly detailed but if one takes the time to read and absorb them then they will make you an informed individual!
You can find a comprehensive list by clicking here.
Read a general introduction to the types of antiaging medicine and how it fits into health and medicine by clicking here.
Whilst IAS specialises in anti-aging medicine, comprising of nutrients, hormones and some drugs, we monitor the field closely and therefore are “in touch” with current thinking. We alter and adapt the line-up, as information becomes available. But sometimes we do offer some products that aren’t listed on the website, so please state your requirements by emailing us here: (see IAS terms and conditions) in the event of a confirmed mailing loss.
We have a cool packing service, (not dry ice as it is considered to be a hazardous substance by couriers) for products that may require to be cooled below room temperature, but it is not possible for us to guarantee perfect delivery because of many factors outside of our control.
Although MD’s and other medical professionals write many of our articles, IAS does not and cannot offer any medical advice. Information is provided on an educational basis only as only your personal physician may administer your precise needs.
Yes, quite a number most of them in the United States. Check out our sister site at www.antiaging-conference.com
IAS supports a number of worthy causes within the industry and is a member and advisor to many others. Some examples include:
The British Longevity Society www.thebls.org
The Stromboli Conference on Cancer and Aging www.stromboli-conference.com
The Alliance for Natural Health www.anh-europe.org
Yes, more than you would think! Most have extended anti-aging medicine to their existing preventative, cosmetic and alternative medicine practices. IAS has a list of anti-aging clinics up at www.antiaging-clinic.com (coming soon)
Controlled substances are in a "higher" bracket than prescription only substances; as such they are usually governed by a different government body. For example in the USA the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is responsible for controlled drugs rather than just the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Different countries place different emphasis on different products, apart from the obvious narcotics and addictive substances (such as amphetamines and barbiturates etc.), many countries consider products such as pain killers, steroids and even weight loss drugs as controlled substances believing that they are also additive substances. There are usually 5-classes of control, class 1 being highly addictive and no-medical use, these substances usually cannot be even prescribed by a DEA registered physician. Class 2 and 3 are still very-high categories but can be prescribed because they are recognised as having a medical use. Lower classes 4 and 5 are usually more "lenient" because they are considered to have a much smaller risk of abuse but they still require special paperwork and a prescription from a DEA registered physician.
When substances are controlled in the supplying country and the receiving country export and import paperwork is required, which obviously immediately alerts customs to theses facts. Dealing with 1st world-countries for these products have many stipulations (supervised by the United Nations) which would obviously mean inherent "risks" for you should you not meet all the regulatory requirements.
As such, shipments of controlled substances are neither advised nor undertaken by IAS.
Why are some products restricted to the European Union?
IAS operates an international selection of depots located within Europe and the USA. Due to the restrictive regulations surrounding the status of medicines and “unapproved products” we carefully decide which products are shipped from which depot to ensure conformity to local laws etc. However, the majority of our medicines are currently located with Europe and due to EU legislation there are many regulations that make the area very unclear. To this end, to ensure compliance we limit the sales of products to the EU as of nutritional status only, which is why we don’t currently ship medicines and hormones to the EU.”
For some political comments, take a look at The Future of Antiaging Medicine.
IAS can accept payment in US Dollars as bank checks, US postal money orders (USA save your money! Please note we don’t require the international versions), American Express checks (or any other travellers checks). The important thing is that the paying bank is in the United States of America. Please note that we do not accept any personal checks.
e can accept payment in GB Pounds as bank checks, international postal money orders, any travelers’ cheques (or Euro-cheques). The important thing is that the paying bank is in the United Kingdom. Please note that we do not accept any personal checks.
We accept Visa and the secure on-line encrypted Webstore we use is powered by VeriPayment. At the end of the transaction your card will be billed in US Dollars, but you can also see exactly how much that will be in Swiss Francs, Japanese Yen, British Pounds or Euros.
We will require a written declaration on all orders, so orders have to be placed by fax, e-mail or letter or via our encrypted on-line Webstore.
Of course the phone can be used in all other inquiries, but remember the time differences; we are 8 hours in front of California and 8 hours behind Tokyo! Please leave a message where possible with all your details, name, address, contact details and inquiry, we will usually answer you within 72-hours. Due to the time differences we prefer to contact you via fax or e-mail, please provide those details if you have them.
There is a very specific procedure so you must contact us: /contact for a returns number and a unique returns address. Failure to do so may mean your products being refused, so please make sure you get all the relevant details from us first!
If you are ordering a pharmaceutical you've never used before; order only one unit! This will allow you to discover if that product has any particular unpleasant side effects. Sometimes it is necessary to take a course of pharmaceuticals (that may require more than one unit) to obtain beneficial effects, but usually any potential side effects will appear first. Initially by ordering one unit you will not have other units in your possession that you can't or don't want to use. You must remember that these are pharmaceutical products and cannot be "guaranteed" because of the many different factors of use involved. Under the IAS terms and conditions refunds or exchanges cannot be given for correct orders received.