Joint Statement on the Prescribing of Non-FDA Approved (Research-Grade) Peptides

Mississippi Board of Nursing

Mississippi Board of Pharmacy

Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure

Jointly issued by the Mississippi Board of Nursing, the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy, and the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure.

Research-grade peptides are not approved by the FDA and have not been tested, reviewed, or determined to be safe or effective for human use. These substances are not subject to regulation or oversight by the FDA regarding safety, efficacy, manufacturing standards and consistency. As a result, neither the provider nor the patient can fully assess, quantify, or understand the potential risks associated with the use of research-grade peptides, nor can they verify the contents of any vials. Further, any drug provided for human consumption is subject to strict FDA standards.

Under no circumstances is it permissible for a healthcare provider to compound, administer, or dispense a non-FDA approved or research-grade peptide to a patient. A healthcare provider may not circumvent his or her duty of care to patients by permitting or delegating the purchase, administration, or dispensing of these drugs to other providers. This prohibition includes advising, recommending, supplying, prescribing, and administering.

Healthcare providers must purchase all prescription products, drugs, and ingredients from an entity permitted by the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy. Entities selling or shipping prescription products, drugs, and ingredients into Mississippi that are not licensed can be reported to the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy. The license status of an entity selling or shipping prescription products, drugs, and ingredients can be verified through the Board of Pharmacy license verification search. If help is needed verifying the status of an entity, the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy can be contacted at 601-899-8880.

A healthcare provider cannot require or permit a patient to “waive” the provider’s duty of care to the patient and the professional’s personal obligation to follow the law. Patient consent forms purporting to identify a product as “research-grade” do not mitigate or eliminate a provider’s professional or legal liability.

In circumstances where a patient independently acquires and self-administers such substances, the associated risk rests solely with the patient. However, any involvement by a medical professional in recommending, supplying, prescribing, or administering these substances constitutes the practice of medicine and is prohibited.

The Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure, Mississippi Board of Nursing, and the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy remain committed to protecting the health and safety of all Mississippi residents, and expect all licensees to uphold the highest standards of care.