The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has launched an investigation into UK clinics following reports that some are promoting unregulated, experimental peptides.
According to The Guardian, the clinics are also making unsupported claims about their benefits online. If substantiated, these practices would constitute a breach of the law, as the MHRA has made it clear that clinics are not permitted to make medicinal claims about the peptide treatments they offer.
The Guardian identified one of the top Google search results for UK peptide clinics and examined the clinic’s website. On that site, Cortexin was described as “used for neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement”, BPC‑157 as “aiding tissue repair and recovery from injuries”, and Thymosin Alpha as “boosting immune function”.
The MHRA confirmed that the website was making medicinal claims for the peptide treatments being offered, which is not permitted. After The Guardian approached the clinic for comment, the claims were removed from the site.
In addition, the Guardian also revealed that another clinic stated on its website that most research into peptides was pre-clinical and some peptides were still very experimental. Despite this, during a call between a clinician from the clinic and a Guardian reporter, the clinician still suggested the reporter could take two different peptides to help with exercise recovery and tiredness. The MHRA said it was investigating whether the claims made by the clinician were medicinal. In response, the clinic said its consultations encouraged “shared decision-making, where individuals are given balanced information on potential mechanisms, theoretical benefits and uncertainties”.
An MHRA spokesperson said, “If clinics offering peptide injections make medicinal claims for those treatments, the products will be considered medicines and subject to regulation under the Human Medicines Regulations 2012. The MHRA will take action against clinics which are identified as breaching the legal requirements.”