South Carolina Medical Board Warns Against Use of Research-Grade Peptides
The South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners has issued a notice warning physicians that research-grade, non-FDA-approved peptides may not be used in patient care and emphasizing that such products are not approved for human use.
Notice Concerning the Prescribing of Non-FDA Approved (Research-Grade) Peptides
According to the Board, research-grade peptides have not been reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, manufacturing standards, or quality control. The notice states that providers and patients cannot verify the contents of these products or fully assess the risks associated with their use.
The Board further states that all drugs administered or dispensed to patients must be prescription quality and that physicians may not compound, administer, dispense, prescribe, recommend, supply, or otherwise facilitate the use of non-FDA-approved or research-grade peptides. The prohibition also extends to delegating those activities to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) or physician assistants (PAs).
The notice specifically addresses the use of patient consent forms or waivers, stating that a patient cannot waive a provider’s duty of care and that consent forms identifying a product as “research-grade” do not eliminate a healthcare provider’s professional or legal liability.
The Board also reminded practitioners that prescription drugs and compounded drug ingredients must be purchased from facilities permitted by the South Carolina Board of Pharmacy. Providers who purchase, distribute, or dispense drugs or drug components from unpermitted facilities may be subject to discipline under state law.
The notice highlights semaglutide as an example, stating that some facilities are marketing semaglutide salt forms and research-grade powders that are not approved by the FDA. According to the Board, only prescription-quality semaglutide powder should be used in compounding.
