The Medical Board of Australia chair says she is worried that poor prescribing of unregistered medicines such as peptides or medicinal cannabis could undermine patients’ trust in doctors.

Since the explosion in medicinal cannabis prescribing, the board has focused on the growing number of unapproved medicines being prescribed by doctors — mostly, though not entirely, through telehealth clinics.

The board published guidance on medicinal cannabis in July 2025 warning doctors against quick consultations and inappropriate repeat scripts. In the next six months, medicinal cannabis prescribing fell by 30%.

Now, it is preparing guidance on unapproved peptides being prescribed for aesthetic or muscle-building purposes.