The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has begun a two-day meeting to review seven peptides, which are unproven substances that have become a growing wellness trend despite little evidence they are safe or effective.

Peptide Review

The meeting, which started on Thursday, will consider whether the FDA should allow seven popular peptides to be added to a list of substances that are safe for compounding by pharmacies. The peptides under review are BPC-157, KPV, TB-500, MOTs-C, Emideltide, Epitalon, and Semax.

Peptide supporters, including podcaster Joe Rogan and wellness influencers, claim that these substances can help with various medical conditions, such as ulcerative colitis, migraines, and opioid addiction. However, critics point out that the peptides for sale are often imperfect synthetics and are taken at doses much higher than any peptides in the body, raising the risk of allergic reactions and other harms.

The FDA’s career scientists have made clear that they don’t think there’s enough data to support making peptides more widely available, specifically from compounding pharmacies. The panel of outside advisers convened for the meeting includes at least seven doctors or pharmacists with financial ties to the peptide industry.

Concerns and Next Steps

Despite the support from some, the FDA’s two-day meeting is expected to showcase a stark split over the compounds. The FDA assessment is only one part of more than 18 hours of discussions and presentations scheduled across two days. The meeting also includes opportunities for members of the public to address the FDA and its experts.

Ahead of the meeting, the FDA received more than 1,900 public comments, including from doctors and patients attesting to the benefits of peptides. After the meeting, the FDA will review the votes, discussion, and public comments before making a decision on whether to ease access to the peptides.

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.