Australian actor Richard Norton's death linked to unapproved peptide use

Coroner David Ryan found that Melbourne-based actor Richard Norton died on March 30, 2025, after a severe allergic reaction and cardiac arrest linked to the use of unapproved peptide products. The 75-year-old had been injecting CJC1295 and Ipamorelin, which had been prescribed by a doctor, in amounts exceeding the prescribed dose. His wife told police that Norton was using the peptides twice daily for "muscle growth and healing" and had experienced reactions since his first injection. He also possessed other peptides, including BPC157, Thymosin B4 and TB-500.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) explained that therapeutic goods must be listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) to be considered approved. The peptides Norton used are not on the ARTG and have not been evaluated for quality, safety or efficacy. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) advises doctors to prescribe off-label or unapproved medicines only when there is sufficient evidence or no suitable alternatives.

The TGA has recorded six other cases of anaphylaxis or hypersensitivity involving similar peptides, including three cases linked to CJC1295 and Ipamorelin. Following the coroner's findings, the TGA was urged to review the therapeutic benefits and safety risks of these peptides and consider additional restrictions.

New South Wales Health issued a warning after a sharp rise in emergency department presentations related to peptide use, reporting 1,180 cases between July 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026. The health agency cautioned against purchasing unapproved products marketed through social media, online retailers, overseas suppliers or informal sellers, noting that such items may contain unknown or harmful substances, be mislabeled, or differ in strength from advertised claims.