The news: The Trump administration is advancing an “interim access policy” that would let pharmacies compound previously restricted peptides, including BPC-157. The HHS and the FDA have submitted the policy for White House review. It would rely on enforcement discretion, which lets the FDA choose not to penalize qualifying pharmacies for compounding certain unapproved peptides, according to the Associated Press.

Zooming out: Many wellness peptides, marketed for injury recovery, weight loss, muscle gain, and anti-aging, were barred from pharmacy compounding under Biden-era restrictions that the Trump administration is seeking to reverse. In July, an FDA advisory panel recommended lifting restrictions on six of seven peptides reviewed. The recommendations are nonbinding, with the FDA retaining final authority.

Why it matters: Formally adding previously restricted peptides to the FDA’s list of substances deemed safe for compounding could take years. While that process remains under consideration, the interim policy could provide a faster path to market without formally lifting restrictions, per the AP.

Neither pathway resolves concerns about the safety of wellness peptides, which consumers increasingly buy through unregulated channels, including social media apps connecting them with overseas sellers. The FDA advisory panel’s recommendation contradicted agency scientists’ assessments, while medical experts have raised significant concerns about limited human clinical trials and unknown long-term risks. Some 95% of physicians are worried about peptide use if access expands, according to a May Sermo survey. Their primary concerns are inadequate medical oversight (33%) and safety risks and side effects (30%).

Implications for healthcare providers and brands: Many consumer health and wellness companies are eager to tap into surging peptide demand if legal compounding expands. Supporters argue that regulated access would be safer than buying from the unverified online sellers and foreign suppliers consumers already use, while critics say broader adoption should wait for more clinical trials and published research. Faster access to compounded peptides could attract consumers wary of these unverified sources, but also create confusion about whether these products are FDA-approved. Peptide sellers and healthcare providers would face greater responsibility for educating patients about safety risks and managing adverse reactions, including serious ones already being reported, that could become more common as use expands.