2 days ago
Medsafe considers crackdown on import of unregulated peptide medications
Medsafe says people are buying unregulated peptides from websites that make health claims for which there is little or no evidence.
Photo:
Science Photo Li / WBU / Science Photo Library via AFP
New Zealanders are buying potentially high-risk, unregulated peptide medications from overseas websites to treat sexual dysfunction, memory loss and more.
Medsafe is considering a crackdown, warning many are sold based on unproven claims. It hopes to have several of them - and similar ones that may crop up - classified as prescription medicines, making it illegal to import them without a prescription.
In a written submission to the Medicines Classification Committee, Medsafe said peptides were being bought from websites that made claims they could help with "cognitive enhancement, hair growth, libido enhancers, sexual dysfunction, immune enhancers and cancer treatment", and more.
However, there was often little, if any, evidence to back up the claims. Most had not been tested for safety and efficacy on humans.
Medsafe could not seize peptides at the border, if they were not classed as prescription medicine. Instead, it released the products to the purchasers with a "high-risk medicine letter".
"This is posing a risk to health, as the product's quality, efficacy and interactions with other medicines is unknown," the submission said.
Because new peptide substances were created all the time, Medsafe asked the committee to class whole groups of them as prescription medicines, so future versions that fell within the group would still be covered.
Many websites that sold peptides claimed to sell them "for research purposes", but customers intended to use them therapeutically, the submission said.
Fifty-six parcels were intercepted at the border in the year to May, containing peptides or prescription medications known as selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMS).
Customs said it couldn't say how many got through without interception.
Medsafe said the classification review would take into consideration the safety and appropriateness of being able to import these products, as well the risks of limiting access.
The committee considered the submission at a meeting on Wednesday and its decision has not been made public yet.
The final decision on medicine classification changes will be made by the Minister of Health at the committee's recommendation.
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