RFK Jr. Appoints Peptide Promoters to FDA Panel

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has appointed nine new members to a federal advisory panel tasked with reviewing injectable peptide drugs, a move that critics argue stacks the panel with individuals who promote these substances. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its list of advisors on Monday, bringing the total to 13 members. The majority of these new appointees personally advocate for peptide use or have financial connections to wellness clinics that offer such treatments. This action comes as the FDA scientists concluded in 2023 that these popular but unproven peptide drugs lack sufficient evidence of benefits and may carry safety risks. Kennedy, a vocal proponent of these peptides, has publicly stated his intention to counter the FDA's "aggressive suppression" of the drugs. The appointments are seen by some as an effort to sway the panel's decisions in favor of approving or expanding access to these treatments, potentially overriding the concerns raised by FDA scientists regarding their efficacy and safety.