Health Canada is warning against using unauthorized, China-made injectable peptides and non-peptide drugs after lab tests found some products were contaminated with bacteria.
In a Nov. 6 advisory, the agency said it seized and tested unauthorized injectable peptides from Shanghai ERP Peptide Biotechnology Co. Ltd. (ERP Peptide) and found bacteria such as Acinetobacter seifertii, Acinetobacter nosocomialis, and Propionibacterium (Cutibacterium) acnes.
The department said it identified two Canadian online retailers, truenorthbiolabs.ca and bcaxiompeptide.com, selling products from ERP Peptide. Health Canada obtained court-issued warrants and seized unauthorized drug products from the two retailers. The websites are no longer active following enforcement action.
Health Canada said it seized over 11,400 vials from ERP Peptide and the two online retailers.
Health Canada is warning against using certain peptides since they can be contaminated with bacteria. This photo shows peptide vials of 500 milligrams. Photo courtesy of Health Canada
The products that ERP Peptide sold included human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), MOTS-C, NAD+, retatrutide, tesamorelin, and tirzepatide.
“Injecting contaminated products can cause serious infections, hospitalization, and in severe cases, life-threatening sepsis. The risk of infection is higher in people with a compromised immune system,” Health Canada said.
Health Canada said it regulates injectable peptides as prescription drugs. It said that people should use only authorized peptide drugs under the care of a licensed health-care professional, such as a doctor, to treat specific conditions.
“Selling unauthorized drug products is illegal. Unauthorized products have not been assessed for safety, efficacy, and quality by Health Canada,” the agency said. “They have not been demonstrated, through scientific trials, to provide the health benefits that they claim.”
“While unauthorized peptides are often promoted for weight loss, muscle growth, anti-aging, or wellness, they may expose you to significant and unpredictable health risks,” the website added.
Health Canada said that if people inject themselves with an unauthorized peptide drug, they risk hormonal imbalance, mood swings, blood sugar imbalance, liver or kidney damage, blood clots, and cancerous tumours.
People who develop a fever, pain, or swelling at the injection site, or otherwise feel unwell after using these products, should seek immediate medical attention, the department said. It advised consumers to check drug labels for an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), which identifies drugs authorized for sale in Canada.
Health Canada said unauthorized products may contain incorrect amounts of active ingredients, undisclosed substances or contaminants, including heavy metals, bacteria and fungi. They may also be improperly manufactured, stored or labelled.
Health Canada added that people should dispose of unauthorized peptide drugs by following municipal or regional guidance for chemicals and other hazardous waste, or take the product to a pharmacy for proper disposal, while users should also report any side effects or complaints to the agency.
English (US) · 
Turkish (TR) · 