Coroner Recommends Peptide Review After Richard Norton Death
Australian actor and stuntman Richard Norton died at the age of 75 in March 2025 after suffering a cardiac arrest triggered by an injection of unapproved peptides, Victorian coroner David Ryan found in findings handed down on Wednesday. Norton’s death is believed to be the first confirmed fatality in Australia linked to unapproved peptide usage, prompting a formal recommendation for a regulatory review by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Norton approached medical practitioner Dr Jerzy Muchnicki in March 2025 to express interest in peptide therapy. The coroner’s report detailed that Norton had previously been prescribed peptides by another practitioner to manage fatigue, shoulder pain, and a loss of muscle mass. Dr Muchnicki discussed the experimental nature of the treatment with Norton, noting the absence of alternative treatment options approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Norton subsequently signed an informed consent form detailing potential risks, including anaphylaxis, before receiving prescriptions for CJC1295 and ipamorelin on March 19, 2025.
Overdose Triggers Fatal Anaphylactic Reaction
Norton reported to a nurse on March 28 that he had been administering double the prescribed doses of CJC1295 and ipamorelin. The nurse advised him to adhere strictly to the prescribed dosage starting the following week. ABC News noted that hours after that conversation, Norton felt hot and flushed, became unresponsive after injecting a dose of CJC1295 and ipamorelin, and died at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital on March 30, 2025. Coroner David Ryan concluded that the injection triggered an anaphylactic reaction that led directly to cardiac arrest.
Regulatory Review Recommendations
In his findings, Coroner Ryan recommended that the Therapeutic Goods Administration review the safety risks and therapeutic benefits of peptides such as CJC1295 and ipamorelin. The review should consider shifting these substances from schedule 4 prescription-only drugs to schedule 10, which would restrict their availability exclusively to clinical trials or experimental use. The coroner stated that he was not satisfied it was appropriate for medical practitioners to prescribe the substances, citing acknowledged uncertainties regarding their therapeutic value and patient safety.
Medical Board Investigation
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency received a notification regarding Dr Muchnicki’s treatment of Norton. The Medical Board of Australia launched an investigation, during which an independent expert concluded there was insufficient evidence proving CJC1295 or ipamorelin to be safe, effective, or beneficial for human use. The expert characterized the doctor’s clinical notes as sparse, inadequate, and substantially below expected standards. While the board determined that formal regulatory action was not warranted, it required Dr Muchnicki to complete one-on-one training focused on clinical record keeping and management, while the practitioner agreed to stop prescribing peptides without strong clinical evidence supporting them.
Norton built a lengthy career in the film and television industry as an actor, fight choreographer, stuntman, and martial artist, working alongside performers including Chuck Norris, Liam Neeson, Charlize Theron, Jackie Chan, and Margot Robbie, as well as serving as a bodyguard for David Bowie. He is survived by his wife, actress Judy Green.
Disclaimer: The views and cultural analyses presented in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Information regarding legal disputes or financial data is based on available public records.