RFK Jr. stacks FDA panel with peptide peddlers as FDA scientists oppose access
Peptide drugs are popular, but FDA scientists warn they're untested, may be harmful.
Anti-vaccine Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stacked another federal advisory panel with allies, advancing his efforts to force the Food and Drug Administration to reverse its stance on a dozen popular but unproven injectable peptide drugs.
While FDA scientists determined in 2023 that the drugs lack evidence of benefits and may pose safety risks, Kennedy is a self-professed "big fan" of the dubious drugs and has vowed to "end" FDA's "aggressive suppression" of them.
On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration updated its list of advisors who will review the peptides, adding nine new members—almost all of whom personally promote peptide use and/or have financial ties to wellness clinics that offer peptide treatments. The additions bring the total number of advisors to 13, making it easy for the new members to determine the outcome of upcoming meetings.