New FDA peptide advisers could benefit from their own rulings

Lizzy leads STAT’s coverage of the FDA. Her stories explore the relationship between politics and science at the FDA, industry influence, and the agency’s ability to protect and promote public health. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at lizzylaw.53.

WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration on Monday published the names of eight new panelists who will serve on a committee advising the agency on whether to allow compounding pharmacies to manufacture certain peptides. 

The majority of new members are involved with businesses that promote and prescribe peptides, and will be weighing in on rules changes that could benefit them. One of the new panelists is pharmacist and Tennessee state senator Bobby Harshbarger, the son of U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.), who is also a pharmacist and has asked the FDA to ease up on peptide regulation. 

“It’s concerning that several members of the newly formulated [committee] appear to sell unproven offerings including stem cells and peptides, sometimes both,” said Paul Knoepfler, a professor of cell biology and human anatomy at UC Davis School of Medicine and a STAT contributor. He predicted in an op-ed this spring that health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. would shape the committee to be friendly to popular but unproven peptides.