By Jerome AdamsJuly 6, 2026
Adams served as the 20th surgeon general of the United States.
Americans are using peptide compounds (short chains of amino acids promoted for recovery, sleep, performance, metabolic health, and longevity) in large and growing numbers. Many obtain them from unregulated online sellers and informal markets, often without medical supervision, reliable quality controls, or accurate dosing information. Whether we like it or not, this is a mainstream reality, and it creates the very risks regulators seek to avoid.
With Kyle Diamantas now at the helm of the Food and Drug Administration as acting commissioner, the agency has a timely opportunity. Rather than choosing between unrestricted gray-market access or a blanket crackdown that simply drives use underground, the agency can chart a third way on peptides.
The Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meets July 23-24 to consider restoring certain peptides to the list of substances eligible for compounding by licensed 503A pharmacies, with a follow-up meeting to be held before February 2027. At that meeting, the FDA should pursue a structured, clinician-guided framework that brings existing demand under professional oversight while maintaining rigorous safety, quality, and research standards.
