Health

HHS loosens restrictions on six unproven peptides, drawing AMA criticism

The AMA's president says the peptides lack FDA-standard testing, while six people familiar with the policy say FDA scientists opposed it.

Updated Oct 29, 2026 · 02:24 UTC2 reports

The short version

HHS announced on Wednesday a loosening of restrictions on six peptides that reporting describes as unproven.[Scientific American]
HHS says it is offering a more controlled alternative to black-market peptides through licensed U.S. compounders.[Associated Press]
According to six people familiar, FDA scientific staff reportedly had little input and opposed the changes.[Associated Press]
AMA president Willie Underwood III said the peptides have not undergone the testing required of FDA-approved drugs.[Scientific American]

HHS announced a loosening of restrictions on six unproven peptides on Wednesday.[Scientific American]
HHS describes the change as a controlled alternative to black-market peptides, offered through licensed U.S. compounders.[Associated Press]
Six people familiar with the policy's development say FDA scientific staff had little input and opposed the changes.[Associated Press]
AMA president Willie Underwood III criticized the policy, saying the peptides have not undergone the testing required of FDA-approved drugs.[Scientific American]
Wall Street analysts estimate the peptide market could be worth more than $2 billion.[Associated Press]
Lee Rosebush of the American Academy of Peptide Medicine called the policy a huge step for patient and provider medical freedom.[Associated Press]

Claims that FDA scientific staff opposed the changes rest on six unnamed people familiar with the policy and are not independently confirmed in the reporting.[Associated Press]
The $2 billion market figure is an analyst estimate rather than a measured value.[Associated Press]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.