Coroner recommends stricter rules on unapproved peptides after actor death
A Victorian coroner has recommended the Therapeutic Goods Administration review restrictions on unapproved peptides following the death of Australian actor Richard Norton in March 2025.
Coroner finds cause of death
Richard Norton, 75, suffered a cardiac arrest after injecting two specific peptide products. The coroner determined these substances were unapproved but had been prescribed by a doctor. Mr Norton took amounts of the medication that exceeded the dose given to him.
Recommendations for medicines regulator
David Ryan suggested the Therapeutic Goods Administration consider tougher restrictions on peptide use. The coroner stated he is not satisfied with current availability for prescription by medical practitioners. He recommended shifting these substances from schedule 4 to schedule 10 for clinical trials only.
All 2 outlets report consistently
No differences in figures, names or dates across these reports.
- ABC News Australia
- The Guardian
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2 independent outlets. Headlines as published. Links open the original report.