Health Canada has seized more than two dozen different types of illegal, injectable peptide drugs sold by a Calgary business this week. The agency said Optimum Wellness Centre, located at 10333 Southport Rd. S.W., was selling 26 different varieties of injectable peptide drugs. Peptide drugs, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, are currently under development as treatments for viral infections, microbial infections, obesity and even cancer. Health Canada says the drugs can affect a body’s functions and most are regulated via prescription. However, all of the drugs seized have not been authorized, the agency said, meaning they are not tested for safety, efficacy or quality. They include: All of the above drugs may pose serious health risks, Health Canada said, including causing infection, allergic reactions and could lead to negative outcomes following interactions with other drugs. The agency say the drugs could also contain high-risk ingredients, additives or contaminants not listed on the labels. It advises anyone who may have been administered an unauthorized injectable drug or have related health concerns to contact a health-care professional immediately. “Do not buy or use unauthorized drugs. You can read product labels or confirm with the person administering the product that health products have been authorized for sale by Health Canada,” the organization said. “Authorized health products have an eight-digit drug identification number (DIN), natural product number (NPN) or homeopathic drug number (DIN-HM).” All health product-related side effects and concerns should be reported to Health Canada immediately.
