The British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) has issued a warning over the growing promotion of injectable peptide treatments.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that serve as cellular messengers, however they are often grouped together under the banner of "peptide therapy," an umbrella term covering many different compounds with very different evidence bases, legal statuses and safety profiles.
BCAM emphasises that some peptide-based medicines, such as GLP-1 receptor antagonists, are regulated for UK use and supported by clinical trial data and prescribed within a medical framework.
However, these injections are entirely different from the growing market of unregulated and unauthorised peptide products being sold online or in non-medical settings.
Under the Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulation Agency (MHRA), unlicensed medicines and prescription-only medicines must not be advertised.
“Peptides may be ‘natural’, but that does not make them automatically safe,” says BCAM member Dr Mayoni Gooneratne. “The key question is not simply whether something is a peptide. The key questions are: what is the compound, what is the evidence, is it licensed or unlicensed, who is prescribing it, where has it come from, and what safeguards are in place?”
According to BCAM, the risks to patients are multi-layered, spanning the safety of the molecule itself, dosing accuracy, product sterility, and the integrity of the label.
Beyond the product, the legality of the supply chain and the competence of the practitioner administering the injection are equally critical.
BCAM highlighted particular concerns around internet-sourced "research peptides." Frequently sold under the guise of being "not for human consumption," their promotion and use as actual treatments flag a dangerous breach of safety and regulatory boundaries.
Regulatory position varies significantly between countries and patients and professionals must follow UK regulation.
Risks associated with unregulated peptide injections include:
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Immune or inflammatory reactions
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Infection, abscess formation or tissue injury
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Contamination or sterility failures
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Incorrect dosing or inconsistent potency
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Hormonal or metabolic disruption
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Drug interactions or contraindications
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Unintended systemic effects
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Delayed diagnosis or inappropriate treatment of underlying conditions
BCAM “Vet It Before You Get It”
BCAM has emphasised the importance of their “Vet It Before You Get It” campaign, urging patients to be cautious before purchasing peptide injections.
“Responsible medicine is not about dismissing peptides,” adds Dr Gooneratne. “It is about distinguishing evidence-based, regulated therapies from experimental products with significant legal and safety questions. For most patients, the safest course is to optimise established therapies while we await high-quality human trial data.”
BCAM’s “Vet It Before You Get It” campaign was created to empower patients to make informed and safe decisions and to raise the standards across the aesthetics industry.
