Mississippi Boards Warn Against Use of ‘Research-Grade’ Peptides
The Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure, Mississippi Board of Nursing and Mississippi Board of Pharmacy have issued a joint statement warning health care providers against prescribing, administering, dispensing or otherwise facilitating the use of non-FDA-approved “research-grade” peptides in patients.
The statement, released in August, says research-grade peptides are not approved by the FDA and have not been tested, reviewed or determined to be safe or effective for human use. According to the boards, these products are not subject to FDA oversight for safety, efficacy, manufacturing standards or consistency, making it impossible for providers and patients to fully understand the risks associated with their use or verify the contents of a product.
The boards stated that “under no circumstances” may a health care provider compound, administer or dispense a non-FDA-approved or research-grade peptide to a patient. The prohibition also extends to recommending, advising, supplying or prescribing such products. The statement further notes that providers may not avoid responsibility by directing patients to obtain the products themselves or by delegating their purchase, administration or dispensing to another provider.
The boards emphasized that all prescription drugs, products and ingredients must be purchased from entities permitted by the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy. Providers are encouraged to verify the licensure status of suppliers and report entities shipping prescription products into Mississippi without appropriate authorization.
The statement also addresses patient consent and liability. According to the boards, providers cannot require patients to waive a provider’s duty of care or legal obligations. Consent forms identifying a product as “research-grade” do not reduce or eliminate a provider’s professional or legal liability.
While the boards acknowledged that patients may independently obtain and self-administer research-grade peptides, they warned that any involvement by a licensed medical professional in recommending, supplying, prescribing or administering those substances constitutes the practice of medicine and is prohibited. The Mississippi boards said they expect licensees to uphold the highest standards of care in protecting patient health and safety.
