Comment from Dickinson Aly
AnonymousSupportIndividual
Summary: An individual patient expresses support for the inclusion of specific peptides (such as tirzepatide, semax, and BPC-157) on the bulk drug substances list to ensure continued accessibility. They argue that these treatments have significantly improved their quality of life and health, and warn that restricted access could drive patients toward unsafe black markets.
I am writing in support of the continued accessibility of current peptides and further research into other peptides, specifically tirzepatide and semax as well as the continued research to make available for retatrutide. I battle with the many symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and after having my 2 children, struggled to lose weight. After trying everything including considering weight loss surgery, tirzepatide finally was covered under my health insurance. After starting on tirzepatide, I was able to lose over 40 pounds, my insulin resistance has improved, and my bloodwork is within normal limits on everything, along with my risk for developing diabetes being lower. Tirzepatide has truly changed my life, however, due to a change in insurance, it is no longer covered and I cannot afford it while it is prescribed by a regular doctor. Telehealth providers have been a godsend in my quest for continuing medication.
The other peptide I would like to talk about is BPC-157 and Semax. My husband suffers from chronic debilitating migraines. He recently spent two months on short term disability and almost no medication has worked. Our marriage and family life have suffered greatly because of his migraines. Further research and making BPC-157 as well as Semax could potentially be our answer to a more pain-free life as there have been good results in other countries.
While I understand that individual results can vary and that more research is needed, these therapies have had a significant positive impact on my quality of life and could potentially have a very positive impact on my husband's life as well as our family.
As someone who has personally benefited from these treatments, I encourage the FDA to carefully consider the experiences of patients when evaluating access to these peptides. I hope continued research and an evidence-based review process will allow patients and their healthcare providers to make informed decisions about whether these therapies are appropriate for their individual situations. Restricted access could lead to patients going to the "black market" for peptides that are unsafe to use and do much more harm than good.