More than two people a day are being admitted to hospital in NSW because off illness or injury related to peptide use, stark figures have revealed.
Health bosses in NSW have revealed a major surge in peptide-related emergency department admissions, with 1180 admissions over a 15-month period.
The statistics have prompted Health Minister Ryan Park to issue a warning over the use of unapproved peptide produces.
The figures relate to the period between July 1, 2025 and September 2026, during which admissions related to the products grew exponentially.
As of September this year, the average number of monthly presentations at emergency departments in the state linked to peptides was 217.
In July 2025, this figure was just five – marking a staggering percentage increase of 4240 per cent.
“We know that using these unapproved substances can come with real health risks, but it is particularly alarming to see the growing pressure they’re placing on our health system,” Mr Park said.
“Even when a product looks professional or comes in convincing packaging, that does not guarantee it is safe for use.
“I’m urging the community to be mindful of the long-term harms of unprescribed peptides and speak with their GP for safe, evidence-based health advice.”
NSW Health says people are increasingly turning to unapproved products as a result of aggressive wellness marketing, such as through social media.
Products claim to promote weight loss, injury repair and even reverse ageing.
Many of those readily available, such as BPC-157, GHK-Cu, TB-500, retatrutide and CJC-1295 are not currently approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
Health bosses are urging people to always seek advice from a medical professional before starting to use any peptide-based product.
“A professional looking website, a label, purity claim, reviews or influencer endorsement is not proof of what is inside a product,” NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said.
“The contents and strengths may also vary between products carrying the same label.
“We encourage people to discuss the risk, benefits and safer alternatives to products they see advertised with their usual GP or qualified healthcare provider.”