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# JAMA Viewpoint Warns FDA Peptides Policy Could Undermine Drug Approvals
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/jama-viewpoint-warns-fda-peptides-policy-could-undermine-drug-approvals/
- Published: 2026-10-26T20:29:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-26T23:29:45.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: FDA Policy/General

As the Trump administration considers an interim policy allowing compounding pharmacies to produce certain unapproved peptides, a public health advocacy group is warning that expanding access to the substances could undermine FDA's drug approval process and expose consumers to potentially unsafe products.

The potential policy follows a July recommendation by FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee to add six of seven peptides under consideration to the agency's Section 503A Bulks List, despite FDA staff recommendations against all seven substances ([see earlier story](https://www.fdaweb.com/insufficient-data-on-7-peptides-for-potential-compounding-use-fda/)).

In a new *JAMA* [Viewpoint](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2855793?ref=fdaweb.com), authors affiliated with the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) warn that following the committee's recommendations would expose the public to unproven peptides while threatening the integrity of FDA's advisory committee system and drug approval process.

“Authorizing these peptides would create a huge, largely unregulated market that will be characterized by misleading claims, needless risk, and widespread grift,” CSPI said in a statement.

The group also raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest among newly appointed advisory committee members, alleging that many had ties to peptide-related businesses and clinics.

“When votes are, in effect, predetermined by selective appointments, the role of advisory committees as a mechanism to solicit independent expertise and adjudicate scientific uncertainty is fundamentally undermined,” the Viewpoint authors wrote.

CSPI President and co-author **Peter G. Lurie** warned that expanding access to unapproved peptides could discourage manufacturers from pursuing formal FDA approval.

“If the FDA continues to indulge RFK Jr.’s enthusiasm for peptides, we can expect cases of injury to consumers to [continue to mount](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/10/13/people-who-have-taken-hyped-unregulated-peptides-have-regrets/?ref=fdaweb.com),” Lurie said. “But if one of these peptides were to show promise, the FDA’s actions make it much less likely that it would be developed into a safe and useful drug. Why would a reputable pharmaceutical company bother to conduct extensive clinical trials when consumers can just go to compounding pharmacies, or worse, find one of these peptides in a dietary supplement on a supermarket shelf?”