September/October 2026 Vol 32.5Karthik Achari, Clinician and Founder PepMD
Authors: Karthik Achari, Sheldon Baker
Abstract:
The FDA’s ongoing review of several high-profile peptides and what this pivotal moment could mean for the future of peptide medicine
As federal regulators evaluate whether peptides such as BPC-157, TB-500, Semax, and others should remain eligible for compounding, healthcare providers, patients, and the wellness industry are closely watching the outcome.
Clinician Karthik Achari had the opportunity to deliver public comment during the FDA’s July 2026 Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting. His participation gave him a firsthand perspective on the scientific, clinical, and regulatory discussions shaping the future of peptide medicine.
Achari is the founder of PepMD, an independent standards body developing the credentialing and trust infrastructure for peptide medicine launched in January 2026. PepMD claims to be the first organization to bring clinician credentialing, pharmacy recognition, and research site authorization together under a single standard. A clinician by training, Achari is currently completing Bradley University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner program. His background spans pharmaceutical and peptide manufacturing and distribution as well as precision diagnostic medicine, which is where he saw the gaps in oversight firsthand. (Altern Ther Health Med. 2026;32(5):4-5).
