Coroner finds unapproved peptides triggered actor Richard Norton's death

A coroner has found that the death of Australian actor and martial artist Richard Norton was “triggered by” his injection of unapproved peptides, and has recommended the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) consider tougher restrictions.

Mr Norton, 75, collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest after injecting CJC1295 and Ipamorelin, products that had been prescribed by Dr Jerzy Muchnicki. Coroner David Ryan found the death in March last year was the result of complications arising from his use of the products. It is believed to be the first confirmed fatality in Australia from unapproved peptide use. Mr Norton died at Melbourne's Alfred Hospital on March 30, 2025.

In findings delivered on Wednesday, Mr Ryan said Mr Norton “had been taking amounts of the medication in excess of the dose prescribed by his medical practitioner”. The coroner recommended the TGA review the therapeutic benefits and safety risks of peptides such as CJC1295 and Ipamorelin and “consider whether further restrictions ought to be imposed on their use”.

According to the coroner's report, Mr Norton was “interested in peptide therapy” and approached Dr Muchnicki. He had asthma, osteoarthritis and previous bilateral shoulder reconstructions, and told the doctor he had previously been prescribed peptides for fatigue, reduced physical recovery, shoulder pain and loss of lean muscle mass. The findings noted Dr Muchnicki reviewed his medical history and discussed the experimental nature of the treatment, potential risks and the lack of alternative treatment options approved by the TGA. Mr Norton signed an informed consent form, and blood tests were arranged before he was prescribed the products, which were compounded by a licensed pharmacy in Queensland.

In the days before his death, Mr Norton told Dr Muchnicki he was “feeling good and the peptide therapy was improving his symptoms”. The coroner noted Mr Norton disclosed to a nurse at the clinic that he had been administering double the prescribed dose, and the nurse advised him to administer only the prescribed dose from the following week. Hours later he became unresponsive after injecting the products.

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency received a notification raising concerns about Mr Norton's treatment. The Medical Board of Australia investigated, including a report from Clinical Professor Alistair Vickery, who stated “there is insufficient evidence that CJC1295/Ipamorelin is safe, effective or beneficial for human use”. Professor Vickery said the clinical care provided by Dr Muchnicki was at a standard reasonably expected, but described his notes as “sparse, inadequate and perfunctory” and his record-keeping performance below the expected standard. The board noted Dr Muchnicki acknowledged the criticisms, accepted accountability, apologised and expressed sorrow for the impact on Mr Norton and his family. In July this year the board found his practice “is or may be unsatisfactory” but regulatory action was not warranted, and it issued a caution with conditions.

The TGA said various pathways enabled practitioners to access unapproved peptides. In a statement, it said it “continues to warn consumers about the risks of unapproved peptides which have not been assessed by the TGA for safety, quality or effectiveness”, and that it was assessing the risks and considering whether further regulatory or other measures may be appropriate.