Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health has issued a circular prohibiting the import, manufacture, sale, prescription, dispensing, injection, use, advertising and promotion of unlicensed peptide preparations in the country.
The circular, issued by the Pharmacy and Drug Control Department on August 25, applies to healthcare entities, medical facilities, healthcare professionals and individuals.
The Ministry said it had observed an increase in the promotion and circulation of unlicensed peptide preparations, including products marketed in different pharmaceutical forms and injectable preparations.
Among the examples specifically cited in the circular are MOTS-c, Retatrutide and BPC-157.
Products not licensed for human medical use in Qatar
According to the Ministry, the cited preparations are not currently licensed pharmaceutical products approved by the Pharmacy and Drug Control Department for human medical use in Qatar.
The Ministry said some of the substances remain at the research or clinical-study stage, while others have not received regulatory marketing approval for the uses for which they are being promoted.
It added that the safety and effectiveness of these products for their advertised uses have not been established through an approved regulatory process, and their use could pose health risks.
Import, sale, prescription and promotion prohibited
Under the circular, it is prohibited to import, manufacture, prepare, trade, prescribe, dispense, inject or use any peptide preparation that has not been licensed by the Pharmacy and Drug Control Department.
Advertising and promotion of such products are also prohibited through any channel, including social media and electronic platforms.
The restriction therefore applies not only to healthcare providers and pharmacies, but also to online sellers, promoters and individuals marketing such products digitally.
“For research use” labels do not exempt products
The Ministry clarified that the restriction also covers products marketed using descriptions such as “for research purposes” or “not for human use” when those products are in practice being used or promoted for human consumption.
This means such labelling cannot be used to bypass Qatar’s pharmaceutical regulations if a product is ultimately being marketed or administered to people.
Legal action against violations
The Pharmacy and Drug Control Department said it will take the necessary regulatory and legal measures against anyone found violating the circular.
Healthcare facilities, practitioners and members of the public have been urged to comply fully with the requirements in order to protect patient safety and public health.
The Ministry’s warning comes amid growing international interest in peptide-based products promoted for purposes ranging from weight management and recovery to cosmetic or performance-related uses, reinforcing the requirement that pharmaceutical products used in Qatar must have the appropriate regulatory approval.
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