https://americanpeptide.co/
Jeff Cohen says the American Peptide Association was created less than a year ago to provide a single, trusted resource for the peptide industry. He believes the industry lacked a central organisation focused on helping businesses understand the regulatory landscape and operate safely.
According to Cohen, the APA was modelled on the American IV Association, which he and his colleagues previously established for the IV hydration industry.
He says his team of 12 lawyers deals daily with issues involving the FDA, FTC, state Boards of Pharmacy, Boards of Medicine, Boards of Nursing, and pharmaceutical companies, giving them firsthand insight into the regulatory challenges facing the peptide industry.
Who the APA Is For
Cohen says the APA is primarily aimed at:
API importers
Wholesalers
Manufacturers
Compounding pharmacies
Distributors
Third-party laboratories
Franchise platforms
Clinicians
He adds that the organisation is now also encouraging consumer membership, believing public support is important for maintaining access to peptide therapies.
Benefits of Membership
According to Cohen, members can expect:
Regular insider briefings on regulatory developments.
Guidance on how changing regulations affect their businesses.
Networking opportunities.
Access to a forthcoming APA certification programme that will establish quality standards across different sectors of the peptide industry.
Certification Plans
Cohen says the APA is developing certification criteria covering virtually every part of the peptide industry. Businesses that meet these standards will be able to demonstrate their commitment to safety and quality, although participation will be voluntary.
Relationship With Regulators
Cohen says the APA has no official recognition from the FDA, but believes there is growing receptiveness from regulators. He argues that organisations like the APA should remain independent so they can provide politically neutral, science-based input into regulatory discussions.
APA’s Role
Cohen describes two main roles:
Offence: Challenging what the APA sees as inaccurate or misleading information being presented to regulators and journalists about imported peptides and research chemicals.
Defence: Providing regulators with expert, evidence-based input to help produce more accurate and effective regulation.
He argues that poor or inaccurate regulation reduces consumer choice, increases prices and ultimately benefits large pharmaceutical companies by limiting competition.
Membership and Vetting
Cohen says the organisation’s founders were personally selected because he knows them and trusts their commitment to the APA’s principles.
General members are not vetted. Instead, Cohen says anyone who genuinely supports the APA’s goals of safety, quality and access is welcome to join. He acknowledges that not every member will agree with future certification standards, but says the APA intends to establish what it believes are best-practice requirements for the industry.
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