Anthony Galea, 50 and a doctor at the Institute of Sports Medicine & Wellness Centre in Toronto, faces three charges in Canada, his lawyer confirmed today.

Although specifics were not available, Galea faces charges under the Criminal Code of Canada for conspiracy, a charge under the Food and Drugs Act, and a charge under the Customs Act, said lawyer Brian H. Greenspan.

The charges stem from an incident when Galea's assistant was stopped at the Canada-U.S. border at the end of September with human growth hormone and Actovegin, a drug extracted from calf's blood, according to a report published in the New York Times.

Actovegin is illegal for sale in Canada and is banned by the Montreal-based World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) if used intravenously.

While the controversial drug is meant to promote healing, it is also believed to improve stamina and first came to the attention of the anti-doping authorities several years ago when some elite cyclists were found to be using it.

Although there is no suggestion that Woods was given Actovegin or any other unapproved or banned drug, he did use Galea's cutting-edge injury-healing procedure called platelet-rich plasma therapy, popularly known as blood-spinning.

The technique involves taking blood from the patient and spinning it in a centrifuge to increase the concentration of red platelets before re-injecting into the patient's injured ligament, tendon or muscle to speed the rate of healing.

The procedure is legal under WADA rules, although, beginning in 2010, it will be allowed only for injections into ligaments and tendons, not muscles.

"If you're here to ask about Tiger Woods, that's not the story today," Greenspan told the media.

"Tiger Woods happened to be a patient [Galea] assisted in his rehabilitation programme after his surgery."

Greenspan said his client takes human growth hormone (HGH) and that it is legal in Canada to do so.

"It was a very, very small amount of HGH and it's only been for him," Greenspan said in a news conference.

"He thinks that in the over-40 group of non-competing individuals, it's a therapeutic substance that extends life."

He denied Galea (pictured) would ever supply athletes with performance-enhancing drugs.

"He is, as I said, a physician who has always engaged in lawful practices.

"He has never been involved in any improprieties, any misconduct, any unlawful conduct, and he looks forward to these charges being cleared."

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the incident at the border prompted the RCMP to start an investigation, and Galea was arrested on October 15 after a search of his office.

He was released that day and given a December 18 court date.

A spokesman for the RCMP said: "We have not laid criminal charges on this matter yet.

"There is an investigation, we have confirmed that."

Authorities in Canada and the US are working together, but on separate investigations, the spokesman said.

Greenspan said he will appear on Galea's behalf at Old City Hall Court on Friday in Toronto.

According to anonymous sources who spoke to the New York Times, medical records found on Galea's computer relating to several professional athletes prompted the FBI to open an investigation.

Galea told the newspaper "it would be impossible" for investigators to have found material linking his athletes to performance-enhancing drugs.

The doctor is listed as the head physician with the Toronto Argonauts football team, and several reports indicate he has worked with athletes in both Canada and the US., including Canadian figure skater Patrick Chan and the 1992 Olympic 110m hurdles champion Mark McKoy, a former training partner of Ben Johnson's.

Galea is also the co-author of the book, Dr. Galea's Secrets to Optimal Health, in which one chapter is entitled Growth Hormone.