Why Peptides Could Become More Accessible in the U.S.

July 24, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The U.S. has recorded more than 2,300 measles cases this year, the highest tally in three decades, as falling vaccination rates leave more communities vulnerable. On trade, the Trump administration imposed new tariffs on major partners under a legal framework designed to survive court challenges, while the International Criminal Court’s member nations ousted its chief prosecutor over sexual assault allegations. And an FDA advisory panel voted to ease restrictions on six of seven popular but unregulated peptides, a move that could shift how Americans access these injectable compounds.

Measles Cases Hit 30-Year High

The CDC reported more than 2,300 confirmed measles cases so far this year — exceeding all cases from last year. Outbreaks in Utah and South Carolina account for roughly half the national total, with case numbers also rising in Pennsylvania and Virginia. The surge is tied directly to declining vaccination rates, which have lowered herd immunity and made more pockets of the population vulnerable to the highly contagious disease.

FDA Panel Backs Wider Peptide Access

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What you'll learn

1 (00:26) **Measles Cases Hit Three-Decade High** - CDC reports over 2,300 confirmed cases this year, driven by falling vaccination rates and outbreaks in Utah, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
2 (01:45) **U.S. to Lift Ban on Mexican Cattle Imports** - The Agriculture Department will resume imports in 30 days, aiming to ease a livestock shortage that has pushed beef prices to record levels.
3 (02:25) **FDA Panel Votes to Ease Restrictions on Six of Seven Peptides** - An advisory committee recommends making these unregulated, popular injectables more accessible, citing safety from gray-market use.
4 (04:56) **What FDA Acceptance Would Mean for Patient Access** - If the FDA follows the panel, patients could legally obtain peptides with a prescription from U.S. compounding facilities, replacing risky gray-market sources.
5 (05:34) **Paramount Merger with Warner Bros. Discovery Delayed** - The $81 billion deal is on hold until legal issues from a 12-state antitrust challenge are resolved, or until June 2027.
6 (05:58) **Earnings Highlights: Verizon and American Express** - Verizon beat on new wireless customers but missed revenue; AmEx revenue missed estimates despite 10% quarterly spending growth.
7 (06:34) **Markets Stabilize After Volatile Week** - Oil fell nearly 4% to under $97/barrel; NASDAQ dropped 0.6%, Dow rose 0.5%; both NASDAQ and S&P saw first back-to-back weekly losses since March.

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Guests on this episode

Gavin Bade

Show Notes

P.M. Edition for July 24. Today an FDA committee voted to increase access to six of seven peptides. Those are substances that haven’t undergone regulatory approval, but they’re promoted on social media and promise physical transformations like better skin. We hear from WSJ health and wellness reporter Alex Janin about what the vote means and whether it paves the way for a peptide gold rush. Plus, new tariffs went into effect today intended to combat forced labor, and President Trump also threatened new tariffs on the European Union. Journal trade and economic policy reporter Gavin Bade discusses the future of President Trump’s tariff agenda. And measles cases in the U.S. this year have already surpassed last year’s number, reaching a three-decade high. Alex Ossola hosts.

And for more on peptides, listen to our What’s News Sunday episode.

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