An Australian coroner has recommended a review of two unapproved peptides following the death of Australian actor and stuntman, Richard Norton.
Norton, 75, died in March last year after experiencing anaphylaxis associated with injections of CJC-1295 and ipamorelin – growth hormone stimulating investigational peptides. The official cause of death was complications of an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, with anaphylaxis identified as an antecedent cause. Asthma and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were recorded as contributing conditions.
The peptides had been prescribed by medical practitioner Dr Jerzy Muchnicki and compounded by a licensed Australian pharmacy. The coroner’s investigation also established that Norton had been administering approximately twice the prescribed dose.
In his findings, Victoria coroner David Ryan recommended that the Therapeutic Goods Administration review the peptides’ therapeutic benefits and safety risks. He said the review should consider whether they should remain prescription-only substances or be subject to tighter restrictions limiting their use to clinical trials or other experimental settings.
An independent expert consulted during a Medical Board of Australia investigation found insufficient evidence that CJC-1295 or ipamorelin is safe, effective or beneficial for human use. Dr Muchnicki acknowledged criticisms of his practice and said he would not prescribe peptides again without robust clinical evidence, according to the board.
The TGA has warned consumers about the risks of importing and using unapproved peptides that are promoted online.