U.S. Politics · 13 outlets (L 4 · C 6 · R 1 · 2 not rated)
FDA scientists opposed RFK Jr.'s plan to ease peptide access
Most FDA scientific staff opposed the plan to ease access to unproven peptide drugs and had limited input in drafting the policy, according to six people familiar with its development.[3, 7, 11] Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said Wednesday that he will allow access to unapproved peptide injections, and HHS is giving compounding pharmacies a temporary green light to make six peptides while a formal rule change is pending.[6, 10] Raw Story reported, citing an Associated Press report, that the opposition prompted Kennedy's department to change tactics.[2]
The New York Times reported that the FDA had advised against the move, which Kennedy made in a unilateral declaration.[4] The Hill reported that HHS said in a notice it would be practicing enforcement discretion, allowing pharmacies to sell peptides not yet on the approved substances list.[8]
Why it matters Compounding pharmacies can now manufacture and sell six peptides that have not been approved by the FDA.[1, 6, 8]
Covered by The New York Times, NBC News, The Washington Times and 10 more
Read first RFK Jr. takes shortcut to make some peptides more widely available
Where accounts differ (1)
- FramingThe New York Times framed the move as Kennedy acting alone, writing of 'a unilateral declaration by the health secretary,' while The Hill framed it as an agency action, reporting that 'HHS stated in a notice that it would be practicing enforcement discretion.'[4, 8]
- The New York Times · Leans left · Oct 28, 1:05 p.m. ET Kennedy to Allow Broad Use of Unapproved Peptide Injections
In a unilateral declaration by the health secretary, several injections promoted by online influencers will become widely available. The F.D.A. had advised against the move.
- The Hill · Center · Oct 28, 2:18 p.m. ET HHS to allow sale of unapproved peptides under review
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will allow compounding pharmacies to manufacture and sell peptides that have not yet been added to the list of approved substances, advancing access to the those…
- The New York Times · Leans left · Oct 28, 1:05 p.m. ET Kennedy to Allow Broad Use of Unapproved Peptide Injections
How balanced is this coverage?
Of the 11 rated outlets that covered it, 4 are left of center, 6 are center and 1 is right of center (1 of them in the Right group). 2 more are not rated.
- Left: none.
- Leans left: Raw Story (−0.94), The New York Times (−0.70), The Guardian (−0.70), NPR (−0.68).
- Center: NBC News (−0.49), PBS NewsHour (−0.48), TIME (−0.40), ABC News (−0.19), The Hill (+0.10), UPI (+0.17).
- Leans right: none.
- Right: The Washington Times (+1.27).
Not rated Fast Company, Scientific American. Not placed: they have no lean score.
Each dot is an outlet that covered it, placed by its audience-lean score (Eady et al. 2025), which measures who shares its links, not how accurate it is. The ticks under the line are all 113 rated outlets Tare reads.