Manning Denies Report He Used Human Growth Hormone Treatment

A Texas pharmacist formerly affiliated with the Indianapolis-based Guyer Institute is denying a report contained in an Al Jazeera documentary in which he claims former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning used human growth hormone treatment (HGH) for a neck injury that sidelined him during his last season with the Colts in 2011. HGH was banned by the NFL in 2011.

The pharmacist, Charlie Sly, is recorded by an undercover reporter, Liam Collins, claiming Manning was given a supply of HGH in his wife's name in 2011 while Sly was still employed at the clinic specializing in anti-aging treatments. According to the report, Manning was just one of several professional athletes who were supplied illegal performance enhancing drugs. Sly, who could face professional sanctions for discussing a patient's confidential medical information, released a video statement in which he recants what he told to the undercover reporter.

The Denver Broncos released a strong statement on behalf of Manning denying the allegation. "The allegation that I would do something like that is complete garbage and is totally made up," Manning said. "It never happened. Never. I really can't believe somebody would put something like this on the air. Whoever said this is making stuff up."

This is not the first time Manning's medical treatment has become the subject of public speculation. There were also news reports that Manning had traveled to Europe in 2011 to receive stem cell therapy to treat his neck injury after his surgery. Stem cell therapy is one of the treatment therapies utilized by the Guyer Institute.

UPDATE: News reports describe Charlie Sly as a "pharmacist," although it's not clear whether he ever was a licensed pharmacist. I checked Indiana's online licensing records for Sly. He was never issued a license as a pharmacist. He was issued a pharmacist intern license on April 27, 2010, which expired on May 1, 2013. Sly is reportedly now living in Texas. According to Texas pharmacy records, he has never been issued any pharmacy-related license in Texas.

The documentary, "The Dark Side," has now been uploaded to YouTube.
In the undercover recordings, Sly says Dr. Dale Guyer regularly administered HGH drugs in his clinic in Indianapolis when he was employed there. A medical expert Al Jazeera spoke to said the drugs could only be administered to persons with growth hormone deficiency related to pituitary gland disorders, HIV wasting and short bowel syndrome where bowel has been removed during cancer treatment. It is illegal to prescribe the drugs for any off-label use. Sly told Collins during the secretly-recorded interview he was surprised the Guyer Institute hasn't been shut done already. He claimed Guyer's clinic frequently shipped the drug to Manning at various addresses, which were addressed to Manning's wife, Ashley. He also said he saw Manning in the clinic being treated on several occasions.

In response to Sly's claims, Manning said all of his treatments at the Guyer Institute were done in consultation with physicians and with the knowledge and approval of the Colts franchise. He cited medical privacy for not discussing any treatment his wife may have been receiving from the Guyer Institute. He said through his spokesperson that any drugs shipped to Ashley were used solely by her.

What Sly is captured on video doing is clearly illegal as well. He appears to be illegally dispensing drugs from his high-rise luxury condominium in Austin in the video. In one case, Collins captures MLB player Taylor Teagarden visiting Sly and discussing banned drugs he was receiving from Sly to improve his performance as a catcher for the Chicago Cubs. The Guyer Institute claims Sly was only an unpaid intern for the clinic in 2013, not 2011 as claimed in the Al Jazeera report when Manning was receiving treatment there. Manning says he used a hyperbaric chamber at Guyer's clinic recommended by his doctor and team officials. He also acknowledged receiving some nutrient IV treatments at the clinic.

In the video web ad below, Dr. Guyer discusses the use of bio identical hormone replacement therapy.