An FDA Panel Just Endorsed These Unproven Peptides
An FDA advisory panel has narrowly recommended reclassifying four peptides to allow compounding pharmacies to produce them, despite concerns from FDA scientists. These substances, often promoted by influencers, currently exist in a largely unregulated market.
Why it matters
The decision highlights the tension between public demand for wellness trends and the regulatory oversight required to ensure medical safety.
A panel of experts on Thursday narrowly recommended that the Food and Drug Administration reclassify four popular peptides—including one endorsed by podcaster Joe Rogan—to allow certain pharmacies to legally dispense them.
In an at-times emotionally charged meeting that lasted more than 11 hours, members of an FDA advisory committee heard data presentations from FDA staff on four unapproved peptides—BPC-157, KPV, TB-500, and MOTs-C—as well as testimony from health care practitioners, patients, pharmacies, and clinics.
Members voted eight to six, with one abstention, to add three of the four peptides to the agency’s bulks list, meaning compounding pharmacies can use them to create custom medications for patients. (The fourth peptide—MOTs-C—received a seven-to-five vote in favor, with two abstentions.) The advisory panel, which includes several members tied to peptide-related businesses and telehealth clinics, will consider three more peptides on Friday.
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