World · East Asia & Pacific · 2 hrs ago
Coroner links actor Richard Norton's death to unapproved peptides
A Victorian coroner found that actor Richard Norton died after injecting unapproved peptides in Melbourne in March 2025.
Norton, 75, was prescribed CJC-1295 and ipamorelin, which were made by a compounding pharmacy in Queensland.
He had told his doctor he was interested in peptide therapy and had previously used peptides.
The coroner said Norton disclosed taking double his prescribed dose before his death.
The peptides do not have approval from Australia's medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and their safety and benefits for human use are not established.
The coroner recommended that the regulator review the products and consider tighter restrictions.
Independent MP Monique Ryan is also calling for a parliamentary inquiry into online healthcare and prescribing, including gaps in oversight; the government’s next step is not stated.
A Victorian coroner found that unapproved peptides triggered actor Richard Norton’s fatal cardiac arrest.
Norton, 75, died at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital on March 30, 2025, after injecting CJC-1295 and ipamorelin.
The peptides had been prescribed by a doctor and compounded by a licensed pharmacy in Queensland.
The coroner said Norton had taken more than the prescribed dose and recommended that the medicines regulator consider tougher restrictions.
The death is believed to be Australia’s first confirmed fatality linked to unapproved peptide use.
- Who
- Australian actor Richard Norton, 75.
- What
- A coroner found that injections of unapproved peptides triggered his fatal cardiac arrest.
- When
- Norton died on March 30, 2025; the coroner delivered findings on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
- Where
- Norton died at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital. The peptides were compounded by a pharmacy in Queensland.
- Why
- The coroner found his death resulted from complications after he injected CJC-1295 and ipamorelin, taking more than the prescribed dose.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Norton died at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital after collapsing and suffering a cardiac arrest.
Norton told his doctor he was feeling good and that peptide therapy was improving his symptoms; he also disclosed taking double the prescribed dose.
Monique Ryan wrote to the Health Minister asking him to refer telehealth and online prescribing to the House Health Committee.
Coroner David Ryan delivered findings linking Norton’s death to unapproved peptides and recommended that the TGA consider tougher restrictions.
- Age
- Norton was 75
- Peptides
- CJC-1295 and ipamorelin
- Date of death
- March 30, 2025
- Hospital
- Alfred Hospital, Melbourne
- Prescribing doctor
- Jerzy Muchnicki
- Pharmacy location
- Queensland
3 sources
What people are saying
had been taking amounts of the medication in excess of the dose prescribed by his medical practitioner
There is insufficient evidence that CJC1295/Ipamorelin is safe, effective or beneficial for human use.
The TGA regulates products; AHPRA regulates individual doctors, and nobody regulates the business models driving this market.