US Health Secretary RFK Jr to expand access to unapproved peptides

US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. has released plans to loosen restrictions on controversial peptides.

The plans, which were announced in the US Federal Register on Wednesday, say Kennedy would allow compounding pharmacies to prepare six popular peptides, which not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In an unusual move, the draft came from the office of the health secretary rather than the FDA. After the plan has been officially published later this week, there will be a two-week public comment period.

Unregulated injectable peptides have become popular online. Experts have warned of their lack of clinical trials for humans and unknown long-term effects.

The peptides mentioned in the plan include BPC-157, TB-500, KPV, MOTS-c and Semax. Compounding pharmacies will be able to mix them to create medications.

The BBC has contacted the FDA for comment.

An FDA advisory panel voted in July to loosen restrictions on the six peptides. But FDA staff members recommended against it.

Kennedy has described himself as a "big fan" of the drugs and has previously vowed to ease restrictions on them after the Biden administration clamped down on the growing industry.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids, or small proteins, which our bodies naturally produce. They act as messengers, telling cells what to do, and play vital roles in skin health, immune system and hormone regulation.

Peptides have been used to treat medical conditions for more than a century. Insulin, one of the first peptide hormones to be discovered, helps people with Type 1 diabetes and some with Type 2 manage their blood sugar levels.

But now unregulated peptides have exploded onto the wellness market since GLP-1s, weight loss drugs, became mainstream.

Online influencers have been marketing peptides in what they have called "stacks" for unproven uses, claiming they can be used as a quick way to help people look younger, heal or improve their skin.

They have become popular among teens on TikTok, especially boys, over unproven claims they help to build muscle, part of online trends known as "biohacking" and "looksmaxxing".

Health experts have cautioned against use of the drugs, citing a lack of clinical trials for humans and the unknown long-term effects of the substances.