Peptide therapies — popular, unproven, dangerous

Peptides are short-chain amino acids used in approved medicines like insulin and GLP-1s, but also in a wide variety of substances that haven't been clinically studied or reviewed by regulators. They have gained online popularity for unproven claims around things like anti-aging, healing and pain relief, but they lack a secure supply chain, and researchers have expressed concerns about unanticipated negative health effects, including increased cancer risks.

The FDA excluded 19 peptides from compounding for safety reasons in 2023, but the agency’s Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (PCAC) is considering returning twelve to the Section 503A bulk drug substances list—seven in July and four next February. This would permit 503A pharmacies to compound them without FDA approval or USP quality standards — opening up an even larger threat to U.S. patients.