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The Superior Court of Quebec has granted Health Canada a permanent injunction against Canlab Research to prevent the company from selling unauthorized injectable peptides in Canada.
In a news release published on Friday, Health Canada said the Quebec-based online retailer had been selling the drugs on various websites without approval from the health agency, claiming they could offer health benefits that had not been proven.
The regulatory agency has cracked down on several companies across the country in recent years for selling peptides they claim can be used for everything from bodybuilding and injury recovery to anti-aging and improved mental focus.
But Health Canada said peptides are treated as prescriptions drugs and unauthorized use can pose “serious health risks” for consumers, including hormonal imbalances, mood swings, liver or kidney damage, blood clots, and the growth of cancerous tumours.
In April, it issued an advisory, urging people to “think twice” before using injectable peptides purchased online.
“Health Canada reminds consumers that decisions about prescription medication should be made in consultation with a health–care professional and should only be purchased from a licensed pharmacy,” the agency noted.
Health Canada previously ordered Canlab Research to stop advertising and selling the products and warned the public about the company in 2023. Despite those actions, Health Canada says Canlab Research continued to sell peptides online.
The injunction, which was granted to Health Canada in June, prevents Canlab Research from manufacturing, testing, distributing, or selling unauthorized injectable peptides, or helping others do the same. The company is also no longer allowed to advertise the products, including on any website accessible with a Canadian IP address.
If the company doesn’t comply with the injunction, Health Canada said it will consider further action, including referring the matter for prosecution or filing an application for contempt.
A CBC News hidden-camera investigation uncovers unauthorized peptides, such as BPC-157, being promoted across Canada. For The National, CBC’s Idil Mussa breaks down what the team uncovered and how the findings sparked a series of new investigations by Health Canada.
