Peptides may soon be easier to get amid RFK Jr.’s push, but experts warn of risks

Human Services Secretary Robert F.Kennedy Jr.does pull-ups during a conference at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va., on Dec.8, 2025, discussing the launch of the “Make Travel Family Friendly Again” campaign.(Heather Diehl/Getty Images)

This follows Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.Kennedy Jr.’s push to deregulate peptides, which he’s spoken about publicly, although most peptides have not been reviewed for safety by the FDA.

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Kennedy has discussed using the substances for personal injuries.In a recent interview on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, he stated that he’s a “big fan of peptides.”

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The HHS secretary mentioned that he’s “very anxious” to making some peptides “more accessible.”

“My hope is that they will get moved to a place where people have access from ethical suppliers,” Kennedy said, alluding to the FDA taking action.

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What to know about peptides

Peptides have gained popularity amongwellness influencersand fitness gurus as a means of building muscle, healing injuries or appearing younger, the AP reported.

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weight loss, peptides can signal other functions, like the release of growth hormones.

Peptides have gained popularity for outcomes like building muscle, healing injuries or appearing younger, the AP reported.
(Secretary Kennedy/X, iStock)

Certain peptides up for review by the FDA, like BPC-157, are marketed for tendon healing, gut healing (in cases like ulcerative colitis), injury recovery and inflammation reduction, although the FDA has warned about the risk ofunapproved peptide treatments.

from their doctorand fill the prescription at a state-licensed pharmacy,” the agency wrote.

The FDA wrote in a February advisory that “compounded drugs should only be used in patients whose medical needs cannot be met by an FDA-approved drug.”(Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)

The current peptide market has been referred to as the “Wild West” due to lack of regulation.In an interview with AP, Dr.Peter Lurie, a former FDA official who now leads the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, D.C., commented that “the Wild West is about to become wilder.”

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“I don’t see why one would take the path of properdrug approvalif there is now this less rigorous, alternative path to market,” he said.

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Under the Biden administration, the FDA added nearly 20 peptides to a list of substances that should not be produced by compounding pharmacies, according to the AP.

The panel of pharmacy advisers at the time noted that the peptides did not meet criteriafor safety.