Health

NSW hospitals face surge in cases linked to wellness injections

Authorities recorded 1,180 presentations linked to unapproved peptides, sold online for weight loss, injury repair and anti-ageing despite having no Australian regulatory approval.

Paramedics wheel a patient into a hospital emergency department

Paramedics at a hospital emergency department entrance. Digitally illustrated image.

By Bushletter Newsroom · 19 October 2026

TLDR

Monthly NSW emergency presentations linked to unapproved peptide injections surged from five to more than 217 over 15 months, with 1,180 people treated in total. Products marketed as BPC-157, retatrutide and similar compounds are sold online and via influencer channels and carry no Australian regulatory approval.

Presentations climb from five a month to more than 217

NSW Health surveillance data recorded 1,180 presentations to NSW emergency departments associated with peptide use between 1 July 2025 and 30 September 2026.^[1] Monthly cases rose from five in July 2025 to more than 217 by September 2026.^[1]

NSW Health lists liver damage, severe allergic reactions and hospitalisation among the harms.^[4] The Therapeutic Goods Administration also identified liver damage, severe allergic reactions requiring hospitalisation and broader inflammation complications.^[3]

Products sold online with no Australian approval

Products involved are marketed as containing BPC-157, GHK-Cu, TB-500, retatrutide and CJC-1295.^[1] None are approved in Australia for any purpose under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.^[1] A joint statement from the Therapeutic Goods Administration and Australia's Chief Medical Officer in June 2026 warned that products absent from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods have not been evaluated for safety, quality or effectiveness.^[2]

The products circulate through online retailers and social media influencer marketing, promoted for weight loss, muscle growth, anti-ageing and recovery. NSW Health warned that unapproved products may contain unknown or harmful substances, be incorrectly labelled, or carry different strengths or ingredients than advertised, posing serious risks including kidney damage and liver injury.^[1]

NSW Health Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said: "A professional looking website, a label, purity claim, reviews, or influencer endorsement is not proof of what is inside the product."^[1]

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the rising presentation numbers alarmed him. "We know that using these unapproved substances can come with real health risks, but it's particularly alarming to see the growing pressure they're placing on our health system," Park said.^[1]

KEY TAKEAWAYS

011,180 people presented to NSW emergency departments after injecting unapproved peptides over 15 months.

02Monthly presentations rose from five in July 2025 to more than 217 by September 2026.

03Named products include BPC-157, retatrutide, TB-500, GHK-Cu and CJC-1295, none approved in Australia.

04Reported harms include liver injury, kidney damage and severe allergic reactions.

05NSW Health said it works with the TGA and, where relevant, police to trace the source of products.

SOURCES & CITATIONS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the unapproved peptides linked to NSW hospital presentations?

Products marketed as BPC-157, GHK-Cu, TB-500, retatrutide and CJC-1295 have been linked to the presentations. None are approved in Australia under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.

What harms have been reported?

NSW Health and the TGA have identified liver damage, kidney damage and severe allergic reactions requiring hospitalisation among those affected.

Why are these products legal to buy if they are unapproved?

Products not listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods are considered unapproved therapeutic goods. Enforcement of online sales and importation is an ongoing regulatory challenge for the TGA.