Stronger regulation needed to address injectable peptide craze

Tougher regulation on peptide supplies is needed as illegal use skyrockets among young Australians, University of Queensland researchers say. 

Dr Timothy Piatkowski, of UQ’s School of Public Health, said the country’s regulatory and health systems are failing to keep up with a surge in illegal peptide use in young people – a wellness craze fuelled by social media.

“We need to urgently address the underlying drivers of peptide demand, limit online access, and better equip clinicians to identify and respond to peptide use,” Dr Piatkowski said. 

In a co-written article, published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, researchers called for a coordinated response across regulatory, public health and clinical settings. 

“Australia’s current public health response poorly aligns with the online, profit-driven and unregulated peptide market,” Dr Piatkowski said. 

“Clinicians are unprepared, which is why health systems need to prioritise training, early identification, and finding a better way to reduce harm in young people.”

Injectable peptides contain amino acids and have exploded in popularity online, with social media influencers often claiming they are a ‘cure-all super substance’ for a variety of health concerns including muscle growth, fat loss and anti‑ageing.

In Australia, most injectable peptides are classified as prescription only medicines, and the Therapeutic Goods Administration recently issued an alert about the rise in illegal use. 

“These illegal substances are extremely easy to buy online, and we are concerned by the lack of clinical evidence available on the safety of peptide use,” Dr Piatkowski said.

Dr Piatkowski, the co-founder of Australia’s only peer-led steroid education and harm reduction program Steroid QNECT, said unregulated use of peptides could have severe consequences.

“Many users have no idea about sterile or safe injecting which means there is a group who could be at risk of viruses such as HIV and Hepatis C,” he said. 

“Additionally, the processes involved in preparing and administering peptides can lead to dosing errors, increasing the risk of adverse side effects. 

Researchers are also calling for regulatory action to target influencer-led online promotions, sales made through referral links and a crackdown on the marketing of chemicals used for research. 

“The unregulated supply of peptides needs to be shut down, and we also need to address what is fuelling their demand including pressures relating to muscularity, weight loss and beauty,” Dr Piatkowski said.

In response to the rapid use of peptides, Dr Piatkowski intends to expand his program Steroid QNECT – a hotline where people can get confidential advice on body and performance-enhancement drugs.

“An even bigger issue is that peptide users don’t identify as drug users and usually deal with the problem on their own rather than seeking for help, but Steroid QNECT helps alleviate this through education and facilitating harm reduction.” 

Read the full article in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.