Health · Unapproved peptidesNSW peptide-linked emergency visits rise from 5 to more than 217 a monthAired October 19, 2026 at 12:54 AM UTCWritten October 19, 2026 at 12:56 AM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:07New South Wales emergency departments recorded more than 217 visits linked to0:11peptide use.0:12A state minister warns that unregulated products can cause irreversible organ0:16damage.0:16They're being promoted online for weight loss, injury repair, and even reversing0:20aging.0:21Which products are reaching patients and what do they actually contain?0:24New South Wales is urging people to use peptide products only when prescribed by a0:28GP and obtained from a pharmacy.0:31The warning follows a sharp increase in emergency visits across the state, with0:34September's count exceeding 217.0:37The larger total stretches across 15 months.0:39Health officials counted 1,180 emergency visits between July 1, 2025 and0:45September 30, 2026.0:47That puts the minister's description of close to 1,200 into a precise reporting0:51window.0:52Those 1,180 presentations are emergency visits.0:56The total doesn't tell us how many different people needed care.0:59Health officials describe the visits as associated with peptide use, so the figures1:03alone can't show what caused each person's illness.1:06The minister described patients presenting with liver damage, kidney damage, severe1:10allergic reactions, and vomiting.1:12Those problems can require emergency treatment.1:14The warning about irreversible organ damage describes a possible consequence.1:18It doesn't mean every visit involved permanent injury.1:21Sellers promote unapproved peptides through social media with promises of wellness1:25benefits.1:26The minister warns that an unregulated product may contain something different from1:29what buyers expect.1:31A promise about weight loss or recovery doesn't tell a buyer what's inside.1:34Some peptide medicines are approved for use in Australia.1:37Many products promoted online are unapproved therapeutic goods and may be unlawful.1:42Products without Australian approval haven't been assessed by the Medicines1:45Regulator for safety, quality, and effectiveness.1:47The monthly count rose from five in July 2025 to more than 217 in September 2026.1:53September's precise total hasn't been given beyond that threshold.1:56Even with that limit, the comparison shows how sharply emergency presentations2:00increased.2:01The minister also described a handful of presentations in June 2025.2:06June falls outside the 15-month surveillance period, which begins in July.2:10Keeping those months separate preserves both the earlier warning and the correctly2:13dated comparison.2:15Products may claim to contain BPC 157, GHKQ TB500,2:20Ritatrutide or CJC1295.2:23Those names describe what sellers say is in the products.2:26Buyers can't treat the label as proof of the ingredients or of Australian approval.2:30Federal warnings began months before these state figures emerged.2:34Australia's Medicines Regulator has targeted the importation and sale of unapproved2:38peptides alongside their manufacture through compounding and their promotion to2:42consumers.2:42Regulators warned suppliers on April 13th about importing, compounding, supply, and2:47advertising.2:48On May 7th, they warned consumers about imports, including through the personal2:52importation scheme.2:53On June 10th, they expanded enforcement after detecting more unlawful importation,2:58supply, and advertising.2:59The personal importation scheme doesn't guarantee that a particular purchase is3:03lawful or safe.3:04Prescriptions also need care.3:06A prescription by itself doesn't mean a product has Australian approval.3:10Federal purchasing advice issued on May 18th recommends trusted sources, such as an3:14Australian registered pharmacy.3:16The regulator and chief medical officer issued a joint warning on June 19th.3:21On September 14th, the regulator told people not to use products marketed as retay3:25trutide for weight loss.3:27Its September 23rd update distinguished approved peptides from unapproved products3:31promoted online.3:32Health officials haven't identified which products account for the New South Wales3:35visits, what those products contained, or how many people suffered lasting injury.3:40No date has been announced for the next surveillance release.3:43Patients buying unapproved products may be taking something different from what's on3:47the label.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSSThe shortThe short ↗