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\n The TGA is currently attempting to locate the source or supply of unapproved peptides into Australia and remove the products from the market.
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\n News<\/p>\n
\n Testing found it contained semaglutide at a level eight times higher than found in products in the ARTG, prompting new and urgent warnings.
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\n The TGA is currently attempting to locate the source or supply of unapproved peptides into Australia and remove the products from the market.
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Consumers are urged not to use unapproved peptide products, particularly those supplied in unmarked vials, purchased online or obtained from overseas.<\/p>\n \u2018The biggest risks with unapproved peptide products are not knowing what is in the vial, how much of or even what substance it contains, whether it is sterile, or whether it contains other contaminants or toxins,\u2019 said Professor Robyn Langham, TGA Chief Medical Advisor.<\/p>\n \u2018These risks are particularly concerning for injectable products, where contaminated or non-sterile manufacturing can increase the risk of infection and harmful immune responses including anaphylaxis. Despite numerous warnings from the TGA and healthcare experts, illegal peptide use continues to skyrocket across Australia, spurred on by social media influencers\u2019 promises of miracle weight loss or muscle growth. \u2018Consumers must understand that the safety of these imported products is not assessed by the TGA,\u2019 he said. Anyone who suspects non-compliance in relation to therapeutic goods can report a perceived breach or questionable practice<\/a> to the TGA.
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\n A patient has been hospitalised with a torn oesophagus after using a fake weight-loss peptide sold as retatrutide.
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\nTesting found the product contained undeclared semaglutide and not retatrutide as advertised, with the amount of semaglutide detected being eight times higher than the level found in products in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
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\nAfter using the unapproved product, the patient suffered uncontrolled vomiting and was hospitalised.
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\nDr Terri-Lynne South, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Obesity, said this latest case has left her concerned that previous warnings are not being heard by patients.
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\n\u2018It shows that people don\u2019t really know what they\u2019re getting, and you can\u2019t be guaranteed that you get what you think you\u2019re getting,\u2019 she told newsGP.
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\n\u2018Particularly in this case, the excessive dose is really worrisome from a safety point of view.
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\n\u2018When I hear these stories it\u2019s very alarming because typically, it\u2019s the sort of patients that are not necessarily seeking this for health reasons, it seems to be driven by other reasons that are beyond the TGA indications for these medications.\u2019
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\nOn Monday, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) released the latest in a string of urgent warnings<\/a> against the use of such peptides, saying retatrutide is currently undergoing clinical trials in humans and has not been approved.
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\nIt says any retatrutide product accessed outside of clinical trials could be a counterfeit product and should not be used outside a clinical trial setting.<\/p>\n
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\n\u2018People who self-inject these products also face additional risks, including incorrect dosing, unsafe injection technique and serious adverse reactions.\u2019<\/p>\n
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\nWith the peptide trend showing no sign of slowing down, Dr South said GPs play a critical role in informing and protecting their patients.
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\n\u2018We need to approach it like we do with any medications that are not prescribed, so specifically asking, \u201cdo you take anything over the counter or complementary?\u201d,\u2019 she said.
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\n\u2018You can start off with more questions and see how people respond, then that would lead to opening the conversation when the patient feels that there isn\u2019t going to be any judgement or shame.
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\n\u2018It can be that open-ended question that allows that patient to feel comfortable and talk about not just these concerning illegal peptides, but other potential complementary medicine supplements that doctors should know about as well.\u2019
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\nIn response to the growing peptide boom, the TGA said current investigations are attempting to locate their source and remove the products from the market.
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\nHead of the TGA Professor Anthony Lawler said this latest safety alert highlights the importance of only using products approved for supply in Australia.<\/p>\n
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\n\u2018They are not subject to the same controls over the quality or efficacy of the goods when compared with medicines approved for supply in Australia.\u2019
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\nIn June, the watchdog formally expanded its\u00a0priority focus areas<\/a>\u00a0to include unapproved peptide products, reflecting its \u2018scaling up of regulatory attention\u2019.<\/p>\n
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\n compliance<\/a> peptides<\/a> retatrutide<\/a> TGA<\/a> Therapeutic Goods Administration<\/a> weight loss<\/a>
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