RFK Jr. and many like him, fearing the clearly defined and well-understood proteins in vaccines, are perfectly willing to inject various peptides in the absence of any safety data. However, unlike most peptide fans who share anecdotes online, Kennedy is able to turn his hobby into politics.
Although the FDA already uses standard processes to approve peptide drugs such as insulin and some recently developed weight loss drugs, a lack of safety and efficacy data has kept most peptides off the market. The Biden administration also blocked pharmacies that manufacture specialty drugs by consolidating them. However, earlier this year, Kennedy announced his interest in lifting the ban.
During his statement, Ars’ Beth Mole wrote“Outside experts and watchdogs suspect that before the first meeting in July, Kennedy will work to pack the advisory board with questionably qualified allies who will come with a pre-determined decision to ease access to drugs — no rigorous scientific evaluation required.” That’s exactly what happened. In June, Kennedy added members of the advisory group, with one exception obvious interests in production and sales of unconfirmed peptides.
Yesterday, those newly appointed members cast the deciding vote to repeal the ban, while all of the pre-Kennedy members voted against it. Despite Kennedy’s earlier claim that “independent experts will rigorously evaluate each substance on its scientific merits using full clinical, pharmacological and safety evidence,” no such evidence was presented at the hearing.
according to The New York Timeswhen asked by a committee member whether the FDA approves anything that has never been tested in humans before, an FDA official said it does not. This can be a critical factor in the events that follow. The committee’s role is advisory, and the FDA can reject its recommendations. However, doing so would put the FDA’s experts in direct conflict with the wishes of Kennedy, who could simply fire them.
