A Quebec-based online retailer has been permanently banned from selling unauthorized injectable peptides following legal action by Health Canada.
The federal agency has been warning consumers for several years against buying unauthorized injectable peptides from Canlab Research, saying the company has promoted unverified health claims on several websites “despite repeated enforcement actions by Health Canada.”
A temporary injunction was issued in 2024. On June 11, the Superior Court of Québec granted the permanent injunction. It states that Canlab cannot “manufacture, test, distribute or sell unauthorized injectable peptides, nor can it assist others in doing the same.”
The retailer is also prohibited from promoting these products on any social media platform or website that is accessible to Canadians.
“Health Canada will monitor compliance with the injunction and will consider further action if the company does not comply,” the government agency said. “This could include referring the matter for prosecution or filing an application for contempt.”
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What are Peptides?
Peptides are short chains of two to 50 amino acids, recognized as the fundamental building blocks of proteins. The human body produces them naturally to regulate hormones such as insulin, manage immune defence, and instruct cells to repair tissues.
Peptides can also be used as a therapeutic medication to treat specific health conditions such as diabetes and obesity. Peptides like Ozempic replicate the actions of natural body chemicals for functions such as blood sugar, digestion, and appetite.
Peptides in Canada are typically classified as prescription drugs and should only be purchased from a licensed pharmacy, the health agency said. It emphasized that the drugs should only be used under the supervision of a licensed health-care professional for the treatment of specific medical conditions.
Unauthorized peptides are considered illegal drugs because they have not been assessed for safety, efficacy, and quality by Health Canada, the advisory said.
The products are frequently advertised online and on social media as a remedy for aging or as a weight loss solution, Health Canada said. They are also advertised for bodybuilding, enhancing athletic performance, aiding in injury recovery, improving sleep quality, boosting mental focus, or promoting general “wellness.”
“They have not been demonstrated, through scientific trials, to provide the health benefits that they claim,” the agency said. “Consumers taking unauthorized peptide drugs are exposed to a variety of risks, including, but not limited to, hormonal imbalance, mood swings, blood sugar imbalance, liver or kidney damage, blood clots, and growth of cancerous tumours.”
Customers can verify product labels to ensure a drug has received authorization for sale from Health Canada by locating the eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN), or Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM), the agency said.
