Australia's TGA Adds Unapproved Peptides to Enforcement Priority List Alongside Weight-Loss Drugs and Vapes

Australia's medicines regulator has added unapproved peptides to its priority focus areas alongside weight loss medications, vapes and sunscreens. The Therapeutic Goods Administration said the move responds to increased advertising, imports and supply of the products. TGA chief Anthony Lawler described the decision as a "deliberate, risk-based response" to an evolving peptides market.

"As the availability of unapproved peptide products has increased, so too has evidence of potential risk to consumers," he said. The agency warned that responses to unlawful importation, supply, manufacturing or advertising could include product seizures, infringement notices and civil or criminal penalties.

The TGA, Australian Border Force and Victorian Police recently seized peptides, performance and image enhancing drugs and illicit steroids with an estimated street value of more than $2 million.

The TGA issued a safety alert in April that warned illegal peptides posed a significant public health risk. The alert cited reports of severe allergic reactions leading to hospitalisation, along with severe inflammation, full-body intense itching, palpitations, pain, insomnia, blurred vision and musculoskeletal injuries.

"Australians should be very cautious about buying unapproved peptide products online, particularly from overseas websites or through online platforms or social media," Lawler said.

Examples of unapproved peptide products include Melanotan II, retatrutide, BPC157, GHK-Cu, TB500 and CJC-1295, often supplied in injectable form. The ABC reported last week that several specialists expressed concern over potential cancer risks associated with an unregulated skin tanning peptide.