It’s been a whirlwind of news about pop peptides like BPC-157 and now one of the first indictments related to marketing of these unproven drugs at a clinic.
While RFK Jr. may want to unleash previously banned peptides on the public, it hasn’t happened yet. Those still selling these unproven peptides anyway have had to try to avoid getting into hot water.
Now there’s news of a federal indictment related to peptides sold by a Utah clinic. This is a major development that could have the positive impact of drawing more attention to risks.
Indictment for alleged pop peptides ‘scheme’
Here’s the article: A Utah doctor made fake labels to sell peptides popularized by influencers and RFK Jr., prosecutors say. Subtitle: “Prosecutors said he provided Chinese-made peptides to more than 200 patients without disclosing where the drugs were from.” From the article:
“When Justin Watkins received the popular peptides he got from overseas, they arrived in boxes that appeared to have Chinese and English lettering, prosecutors say, packed with blank, unmarked bottles and vials…Before providing the pills and injectables to patients, he added his own labels — but his creations violated federal law because they didn’t disclose the name and location of the manufacturer, packer or distributor, new charges against him allege.”
Also from the Salt Lake Tribune:
“Watkins’ solution, prosecutors allege, was to order peptides from China — without telling patients where they came from and without cautioning them that the medication wasn’t approved by the FDA…Watkins, 39, was providing holistic care at TruHealth Clinic, which he owns in Pleasant View, and at a satellite office at Full Circle Wellness Center in Brigham City, according to the April 1 indictment.”
Packaging and marketing of peptides, self-injection
More generally, there have been reports regarding packaging of unproven peptides. Most commonly, the peptides are marked as intended for research use only, when the real intent is clinical.
I haven’t heard of relabeling of peptides, but the allegations in this new case don’t surprise me.
How many clinics may be relabeling Chinese or other gray-market peptides?
Getting back to this indictment, TruHealth Clinic has a page mentioning pop peptides: ” In addition to weight loss benefits, peptide therapy can also improve overall health and wellness. These peptides have been shown to improve muscle strength, decrease inflammation, and enhance immune function…Peptides we offer include Sermorelin, Ipamorelin, CJC 1295, and BPC 157, which are all natural hormones that can help regulate metabolism and promote weight loss.” The indictment mentions specific peptides as well.
In this case, the peptides apparently came from China from a firm called XCE Peptides.
The indictment also raised the issue of patient self-administration and patient complaints: “Additionally, patients often were provided with XCE peptide syringes and vials for self-injection without any careful patient monitoring protocols in place. Patient complaints often went unnoticed unless patients, acting on their own initiative, reached out to TruHealth and Dr. Watkins.”
Looking ahead, RFK Jr. impact
Why is this Utah case apparently the first of its kind? This question is especially important given that it seems that many clinics and physicians are engaging in similar practices. Why hasn’t the FDA done more?
If RFK Jr. forces the FDA to unban some of these peptides, could that impact this case? I’m not an attorney, but it seems like there’s more to this case than the peptides being in Category 2. Plus, at the time of the alleged actions, the peptides were still in Category 2.
We’ll see how the case unfolds. I can see how the defense might mount a strong case trying to push back on the allegations, particularly if Kennedy takes deregulatory action on the exact same peptides.
I’m guessing this won’t be the last indictment related to unproven peptides.
An interesting side note is that despite Utah being somewhat of an open frontier for biologics (it has an arguably anti-FDA state stem cell law), there was also a recent indictment related to unproven stem cell use in Utah.
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