The present invention relates to improved pharmaceutical formulations, usesand methods for the oral delivery ofpeptide drugs with advantageously high bioavailability, safety andcosteffectiveness. In particular, the invention provides a peptidedrug having a molecular weight of equal to or less than 5 kDa for use as amedicament, wherein said peptide drug is to beadministered orally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable coppersalt/complex and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable zincsalt/complex and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable iron salt/complex, and witha pharmaceutically acceptable complexing agent. Theinvention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising: a peptidedrug having a molecular weight of equal to or less thankDa； a pharmaceutically acceptable copper salt/complex and/or apharmaceutically acceptable zinc salt/complex and/or apharmaceutically acceptable iron salt/complex； and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable complexing agent.
