Health Canada has been granted a permanent injunction against Canlab Research and its representatives by the Superior Court of Québec, preventing Canlab Research from selling unauthorised injectable peptides in Canada.
According to Health Canada, Canlab Research — a Québec-based online retailer — had been selling unauthorised peptide drugs on various websites and promoting them with many unproven health claims.
It had continued despite repeated enforcement actions by Health Canada, including a Ministerial Order directing the company to cease advertising and selling unauthorised health products because of the health risks to Canadians.
Selling unauthorised prescription drugs or making false or misleading claims to prevent, treat or cure illnesses is illegal in Canada.
Injunction blocks Canlab’s sales and advertising
Under the injunction, Canlab Research cannot manufacture, test, distribute or sell unauthorised injectable peptides. It is also banned from assisting others in doing the same.
Canlab Research cannot advertise (or assist others in advertising) these products, including on any website or social media platform accessible with a Canadian Internet Protocol (IP) address.
Health Canada said it will monitor compliance with the injunction and may take further action —including referring the matter for prosecution or filing an application for contempt — if the company does not comply.
Health risks drive Canada's peptide crackdown
In Canada, injectable peptides are classified as prescription drugs and must receive authorisation from Health Canada before they can be sold.
These authorised peptide medications should only be used under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional, such as a doctor, for the treatment of specific medical conditions.
In December 2023, the Department of Health warned consumers against purchasing unauthorised injectable peptides from Canlab Research due to the significant health risks associated with these products.
In April of this year, the Department issued an additional advisory, cautioning consumers about injecting peptides purchased online, emphasising the dangers of illegal peptide products.
Unauthorised and unregulated peptide drugs can be dangerous and may contain ingredients that lack clinical human safety data, proper quality control, and regulatory approval.
The products may also be contaminated and cause severe allergic reactions, with the peptides themselves possibly causing a variety of risks, including hormonal and blood sugar imbalances, liver or kidney damage, blood clots and even growth of cancerous tumours.
Health Canada urged consumers to look for an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) on the label of the drugs they purchase as proof of authenticity.
