FDA panel backs compounding pharmacies to produce four peptide drugs, amid insulin pen shortage and Merck HIV pill license

An FDA advisory committee voted to allow compounding pharmacies to prepare four peptide-based medicines, a decision hailed by supporters of peptide therapeutics.

The briefing also mentioned that Merck has secured a licensing deal for an HIV treatment pill, though details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Separately, patients with diabetes are reporting difficulty obtaining Sanofi’s long-acting insulin pen, highlighting ongoing supply challenges.