FDA panel on peptides will include experts who promote the unproven chemicals favored by RFK Jr.

By — Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Matthew Perrone, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/fda-panel-on-peptides-will-include-experts-who-promote-the-unproven-chemicals-favored-by-rfk-jr Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter FDA panel on peptides will include experts who promote the unproven chemicals favored by RFK Jr. Health Jun 29, 2026 7:31 PM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — When U.S. health officials meet next month to reconsider a list of controversial peptide drugs, they will hear from a new set of voices: doctors and pharmacists with deep financial ties to the burgeoning industry of unproven chemicals. The Food and Drug Administration on Monday released its list of participants for an upcoming meeting to reconsider the safety and effectiveness of several popular peptide injections , including some that have been praised by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Grow your mind Subscribe to our Science Newsletter to explore the wide worlds of science, health and technology. Previous FDA panels on the topic have been composed of academics and researchers. The agency's new group mainly includes health professionals who prescribe, produce or promote peptides, which have become a wellness trend among athletes, influencers and celebrities. READ MORE: What are peptides, and are they safe? Here's what to know The two-day meeting is the latest example of how Kennedy and his deputies are trying to reshape U.S. health policy in the mold of the Make America Healthy Again movement. Some of the biggest supporters of the movement sell peptide formulas, though many pharmaceutical industry experts consider them illegal, unapproved drugs. The substances are sold online and promoted by wellness clinics as a means to build muscle, heal injuries and look younger, though there's little evidence behind those claims. Peptide sellers often skirt U.S. regulations by labeling their products as "for research use only," since the FDA doesn't regulate research chemicals. FDA has raised safety concerns about peptides Many of the injectable peptides sold in the U.S. are produced by compounding pharmacies, which mix custom medications that aren't available from traditional drug manufacturers. For several years, the FDA has warned Americans about the risks of injecting chemicals with names like BPC-157 and TB-500, which have not been extensively studied in humans. Both drugs are considered doping substances by international sports authorities. They are among seven peptides set for review in July. Previous versions of the FDA's panel on drug compounding — the group that will meet next month — have voted against a string of peptide ingredients brought forward by compounding pharmacies, declaring all of them too risky to be offered to patients. Those panels were mostly composed of experts from universities including Duke, Harvard and Johns Hopkins. New FDA panel includes peptide proponent