Are Peptides Legal in Canada?
In some cases yes, in some cases no. It depends on the peptide.
In Canada, all peptides manufactured, sold, or represented for human use are classified as “drugs” under s. 2 of the Food and Drugs Act (the “FDA”). They require an official drug identification number (“DIN”) to be sold legally.
Insulin is a peptide that has been authorized for human use for decades to treat diabetes. It is legal to sell and possess – usually with a prescription, but some older formulations are available over-the-counter. GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide), became legal more recently for prescription use only.
Some peptides – such as sermorelin and tesamorelin – popular in biohacking and longevity circles are included on the Prescription Drug List (“PDL”). This is a list of drugs established under s. 29.1 of the Food and Drugs Act (the “FDA”) which essentially clarifies that a substance is, in fact, a “drug” per s. 2 of the FDA. Inclusion on the PDL eliminates any doubt as to whether a substance is subject to FDA regulation or not, but does not, by itself, make a substance legal.
At this time, most popular peptides - such as SS-31, retatrutide, BPC-157, GHK and GHK-Cu, CJC-1295, ipamorelin, Epitalon, melanotan I, melanotan II, and semax - lack DINs. Their sale is therefore prohibited under C.01.014(1) of the Food and Drug Regulations. To “sell” also includes to offer for sale or to have in one’s possession for the purpose of distribution, including without consideration (i.e., for free).
And as we wrote on our page regarding psychedelic analogues, simply writing “not for human consumption” or “for research purposes only” on the product will not effectively make it legal when it’s otherwise clear that the product is intended and sold for human consumption.
However, it is not a criminal offence to possess an unauthorized peptide for personal use.
What are Peptides?
Peptides are short strings of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. They regulate bodily functions like metabolism and the immune response. They also provide structural integrity to bodily tissues.
Many peptides occur naturally in the body, such as insulin and endorphins. However, in recent years, synthetic peptides have been growing in popularity. GLP-1s, for example, are a class of synthetic peptides used for weight loss.
Biohackers, predominantly in Silicon Valley, claim that various other synthetic peptides hold potential for maximizing human performance and well-being; specifically, they claim that certain peptides are able to improve sleep, grow muscle, improve memory, tan your skin, heighten libido, burn fat, and increase longevity.
Peptides are typically injected into the body, but some can be taken orally in pill form.
Medical or Therapeutic Use?
Authorized peptides such as insulin and GLP-1 drugs have established medical uses.
Biohackers and others are experimenting with other, less medically-established peptides to boost their health and optimize human performance. However, for many novel synthetic peptides, there is insufficient scientific evidence at this time to demonstrate safety and efficacy.
Side effects such as elevated heart rate, breathing problems, and allergic reactions have been reported.
Health Canada has also warned that unauthorized peptides may not have been manufactured or stored safely, and that they might contain ingredients or contaminants not listed on the label.
Stay updated on the firm’s work and psychedelic law developments in Canada and elsewhere.