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RFK Jr.'s hand-picked committee approves manufacture of peptides he uses
Ars Technica • • business
Key Points:
- An FDA advisory committee voted to recommend lifting restrictions on the manufacture of four peptides for human use, despite a lack of safety and efficacy evidence; votes on three more peptides are pending.
- Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. played a key role in influencing the committee by appointing members favorable to easing peptide regulations, leading to a sharply divided vote.
- Peptides, shorter chains of amino acids than proteins, have complex biological effects that require extensive research to understand, yet many unapproved peptides lack rigorous clinical testing.
- The Biden administration had previously blocked peptide manufacture by compounding pharmacies due to safety concerns, but Kennedy sought to reverse this ban without presenting new scientific data.
- The FDA is not obligated to follow the committee’s advisory recommendations, but rejecting them could create conflict with Kennedy, who has the authority to remove FDA officials opposing his agenda.
