Health Canada says the Superior Court of Québec has approved a permanent injunction that prohibits a Quebec-based online retailer from manufacturing, distributing, advertising or otherwise enabling the sale of unauthorized injectable peptides to Canadians.
Court order follows a temporary measure issued in 2024
The federal regulator obtained the permanent order in June as part of its broader effort to limit access to injectable peptides promoted outside established medical channels. The company named in the ruling, Canlab Research, previously faced a temporary injunction in 2024.
The court's decision bars the firm from a range of activities related to these products, including testing, selling and helping others to do so. It also prevents the company from placing advertisements on social media or websites accessible to people in Canada.
What are peptides and why the concern?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that occur naturally and play numerous roles in the body. Some injectable peptides are legitimate prescription medicines — for example, insulin and GLP-1 receptor agonists — and are regulated as drugs in Canada.
Health Canada has repeatedly warned consumers about injectable products sold online that lack proper authorization. The agency says unauthorized peptides may carry health risks and frequently are marketed with sweeping claims about anti-ageing, weight loss, faster injury recovery and improved sleep without evidence to support those promises.
Public advisory highlights potential harms
In an April advisory, Health Canada listed potential adverse effects associated with unauthorized injectable peptides, including serious conditions such as hormonal and blood sugar imbalance, organ damage, blood clots and the possible stimulation of cancerous growths. The regulator urges Canadians to obtain prescription medicines only through licensed pharmacies and to verify a drug’s legal status using its eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN).
"remains committed to transparency, regulatory compliance, and the continued trust of our global customer base."
Canlab's website now directs visitors to a legal notice dated April 2025 indicating the company is following court directives and reiterating its public-facing commitment to compliance.
How this affects consumers and clinicians
The injunction aims to reduce public exposure to unregulated injectable products that can be promoted with misleading health claims. For healthcare professionals, the ruling reinforces the need to counsel patients about the risks of sourcing injectable therapies outside authorised channels. For consumers, Health Canada’s message is straightforward: prescription injectable drugs should be obtained through licensed providers and pharmacies only.
- Do not purchase injectable peptides from unverified online sellers.
- Confirm a prescription product’s legality by checking for a Drug Identification Number (DIN).
- If exposed or injured by a suspect product, seek medical attention and report the incident to local public health authorities and Health Canada.
Authorized versus unauthorized: a quick comparison
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Authorized injectable peptides | Insulin, GLP-1 receptor agonists (regulated prescription drugs) |
| Unauthorized products | Online-sold peptides promoted for anti-ageing, weight loss or recovery without Health Canada approval |
Regulatory context and next steps
Health Canada has escalated enforcement in recent years as wellness trends have pushed certain peptide products into consumer markets. The permanent injunction is part of a legal pathway the regulator uses to halt distribution and advertising that it considers non-compliant with the Food and Drugs Act and related regulations.
Consumers should monitor Health Canada advisories and consult health professionals before beginning any injectable therapy. The agency continues to encourage the public to report suspect products and adverse events to help inform enforcement and safety actions.
While this injunction applies directly to Canlab Research, it signals federal willingness to pursue similar measures against other entities engaged in selling unauthorized medical products online. For now, the ruling closes a specific channel through which unregulated injectable peptides have been promoted to Canadians.
