Safety concerns
On March 22, The Wall Street Journal said Kennedy was “poised” to carry out his proposal to remove FDA limits on peptides. Two days later, The Washington Post’s editorial board denounced Kennedy’s proposal as “hypocritical quackery.” Today, The New York Times reported that the FDA is moving toward permitting compounding pharmacies to produce 14 peptides that are now restricted. The Times added that senior FDA officials have “reservations” about the shift and worry the agency could be accused of deciding on political grounds rather than on scientific evidence.
Which 14 peptides might be included hasn’t been made public. Observers expect several well-known compounds to appear on the list, such as BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157), originally isolated from gastric secretions and promoted for tissue repair. Growth-hormone–releasing peptides like CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin are also likely candidates.
Specialists point out there are no randomized controlled trials proving the effectiveness of these peptides. Furthermore, experts warn of a range of safety issues, including contaminants from gray- or black-market sources, inconsistent dosing, and mixtures of unproven peptides known as “stacks.” Some peptides that stimulate growth could increase cancer risk, and others may disrupt hormonal balance. Last year, two women fell critically ill after receiving peptide injections at an anti-aging event in Las Vegas.
The evidence for these peptides is “just woefully minuscule,” Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, told the Times. “It’s a mess, because we don’t have any data that these work,” he added. “Maybe one of them actually does something good. But right now, we just know that they’re a liability.”
