US health panel recommends easing restrictions on controversial peptides | Trump administration

A panel of federal health advisers on Thursday narrowly recommended easing access to several peptides popular with health influencers and celebrities, despite warnings from government scientists that the chemicals have not been shown to be safe or effective.

In a series of votes, outside experts at the Food and Drug Administration recommended that the agency lift existing restrictions that prevent pharmacies from producing injectable peptides with names such as BPC-157, TB-500 and KPV.

The panel’s vote is not binding but is likely to encourage health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, who describes himself as a “big fan” of peptides and has vowed to reverse FDA restrictions imposed under Joe Biden’s administration.

Over a plurality of votes, panelists voted 8 to 6, with one abstention, to place the peptides on the FDA’s list of substances deemed safe for pharmacy compounding. If the FDA follows this recommendation, telehealth companies are expected to accelerate marketing of chemicals for wellness and cosmetic purposes.

Thursday’s votes reflected the panel’s unusual makeup. Ahead of the meeting, more than half a dozen people with ties to the peptide industry were added to the panel, including doctors, pharmacists or consultants working in the field.

“I voted yes because it is time to put this decision in the hands of the patient, the doctor and the pharmacist,” David Pope, chief pharmacist at Xifin Pharmacy Solutions, said after the BPC-157 vote.

The panel will vote on three more peptides on Friday. The FDA is not required to follow the group’s recommendations, although it usually does.

The upvotes came despite highly critical reviews from FDA staff scientists who said there was little data to suggest BPC-157, TB-500 and other chemicals could be used safely for medical purposes.

Panel members with academic backgrounds rather than peptides mostly voted against substances widely advertised on social media.

From the University of Texas MD Anderson Center, Dr. “I worry that we are responding to a market-driven demand rather than a decision based on sound science,” Elizabeth Rebello said.

Peptide supporters include longevity influencers like podcaster Joe Rogan and Gary Brecka, who was a supporter of Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda and sells peptides through his own website.

But medical experts describe the market as a “wild west” of unproven, unregulated drugs that can cause serious harm, including infection, allergic reactions or other problems.

Peptides are the building blocks of more complex proteins that trigger hormones needed for growth, metabolism and healing in the body. Pharmaceutical companies have introduced many drugs to the market, including basic treatments for diabetes and weight loss.

But many of the peptides sold online are promoted for unproven uses, often combined in “bulks” to allegedly heal injuries, build muscle, rejuvenate skin or boost energy.