The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has banned the import, manufacture, preparation, sale, prescription, dispensing, injection, use, advertising and promotion of peptide products that have not been licensed by its Pharmacy and Drug Control Department.
The ministry said it had observed an increase in the promotion, handling and distribution of unlicensed peptides, including BPC-157, retatrutide and MOTS-c. Some are marketed as injectable preparations and promoted for therapeutic or cosmetic purposes or as performance enhancers without regulatory authorisation.
The products are not licensed in Qatar for medical use in humans, while some remain at the research or clinical-study stage or have not received approval for the uses being promoted.
The MoPH warned that their safety and efficacy had not been sufficiently established and that their use could pose health risks and jeopardise patient safety.
The prohibition also covers preparations labelled “for research purposes” or “not for human use” whenever they are intended, used or promoted for human consumption. It applies to promotion through social media and
other electronic platforms.
The Pharmacy and Drug Control Department said it would take all necessary control, regulatory and legal measures against violators. It urged healthcare facilities, practitioners, businesses and individuals to comply fully with the circular.
Reports concerning unregulated pharmaceutical products and related inquiries may be made by calling 16000 or e-mailing [email protected]