Are peptides legal in New Zealand?

Medsafe, part of the Ministry of Health, regulates medicines under the Medicines Act 1981^[1]. Medicines are classified by the Medicines Classification Committee, and Medsafe keeps a searchable database of each substance's classification^[2]. For background on these products, see what are research peptides.

Medsafe's classification database, updated on 24 August 2026, lists these as prescription medicines: BPC-157 and its analogues, thymosin beta-4, thymic peptide hormones, TB-500, CJC-1295, ipamorelin, hexarelin, sermorelin and tesamorelin^[2].

It also classifies as prescription medicines growth hormone releasing hormones, growth hormone releasing peptides, GHRP-6, human growth hormone secretagogues and somatropin. The same applies to kisspeptins and retatrutide, the GLP-1 receptor agonist group including semaglutide and tirzepatide, and melanocyte stimulating compounds^[2]. Pineal gland peptides, mitochondria-derived peptides and hCG (except in pregnancy tests) are also listed^[2].

BPC-157 was recommended for prescription classification at the Medicines Classification Committee's meeting in May 2023^[4]. In July 2025 the committee considered a further set of peptide group entries, and several of them now appear in the database as prescription medicines^[5]. We have not confirmed the date on which each of those classifications took effect. See our guides to BPC-157, TB-500 and retatrutide.

New Zealand's law goes further than most. Section 43 of the Medicines Act says no person shall import, procure, receive, store, use or otherwise possess any prescription medicine without a reasonable excuse^[1]. For the peptides listed above, having them without a prescription can be an offence in itself.

Selling is covered separately. Section 20 prohibits selling or distributing a new medicine without the Minister's consent, and retail sale of prescription medicines is limited to pharmacists under section 18^[1]. Penalties under the Act run up to six months' imprisonment or a $20,000 fine for an individual^[1].

Medsafe's May 2026 consumer advisory on unapproved peptides puts it plainly. It says it is illegal to import, sell or use these products, and names BPC-157, CJC-1295, GHRP-6, ipamorelin, kisspeptin, melanotan II, retatrutide, TB-500 and thymosin^[3].

The same advisory addresses research-use labels directly. Medsafe says that "for research purposes only" wording has no legal effect and does not permit sale, supply or use in people^[3]. It also says retatrutide has not been approved by any trusted medicines regulator, apart from use in overseas clinical trials^[3].

Regulators in Australia, Canada and the US take the same view of research-use labels.

Medsafe's guidance on importing medicines says that importing a prescription medicine by post or courier needs a reasonable excuse. That means an original prescription or a letter from a New Zealand authorised prescriber^[6]. The maximum is three months' supply, or one month for controlled drugs^[6].

Ordering a research peptide from an overseas website without a prescription does not meet that test. PepFinder shows where each supplier ships from; browse New Zealand peptide suppliers. A listing on PepFinder is not a statement that a supplier's products are legal, and we never describe a supplier as "safe".

Because these peptides are classified as prescription medicines, the lawful way to obtain one in New Zealand is through an authorised prescriber. A prescription is also what Medsafe describes as a reasonable excuse for importing a prescription medicine^[6]. Some, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, exist as approved medicines. For others there is no approved product, which Medsafe notes in the case of retatrutide^[3].

This matters beyond the law. An unapproved product has not been through Medsafe's assessment of quality and safety, so nothing guarantees what a vial contains. If you are comparing products anyway, independent test results are the best evidence available; see how to read a peptide COA.

New Zealand athletes in tested sports are covered by the World Anti-Doping Agency's Prohibited List. The 2026 List names BPC-157 under S0, non-approved substances, which are prohibited at all times^[7]. It also names TB-500 and thymosin beta-4, the GHRH analogues CJC-1295, sermorelin and tesamorelin, ipamorelin, and the GH-releasing peptides GHRP-1 to GHRP-6 and hexarelin^[7]. Growth hormone and its fragments, including AOD-9604, are prohibited, and HCG is prohibited in men^[7].

This page summarises primary sources read on the date shown. It is general information, not legal advice. Medsafe's classifications change as the committee meets, so check the database for the current entry. For how PepFinder rates suppliers, see our methodology. To judge a supplier's test results, read third-party peptide testing.