GLP-1 Scam Checker: How to Verify Your Provider
FDA has warned telehealth companies and compounders about GLP-1 drugs, and it warns of fraudulent and counterfeit products. Before you buy, use this guide to check your provider.
What FDA Reports
FDA says it is not always possible to determine whether a reported event resulted from the drug. It also reports fraudulent compounded products with false pharmacy names on the label, and counterfeit Ozempic. FDA's concerns page. FDA on the 30 letters.
What FDA says about compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide
FDA and Federal Register pages read November 6, 2026.
- Not FDA-approved. FDA says compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, which means the agency does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality before they are marketed. FDA, current as of October 1, 2026.
- Tirzepatide shortage. FDA determined the tirzepatide injection shortage was resolved on October 2, 2024. After litigation it re-evaluated and issued a new decision on December 19, 2024 that the shortage is resolved. FDA policy page.
- Semaglutide shortage. FDA determined the semaglutide injection shortage was resolved on February 21, 2025. FDA policy page.
- End of FDA's grace periods. After district courts denied preliminary injunctions on March 5, 2025 (tirzepatide) and April 24, 2025 (semaglutide), FDA said its period of enforcement discretion for section 503A compounders had ended. FDA policy page.
- Section 503A (state-licensed pharmacies and physicians). The drug must be compounded for an individual patient based on a prescription, and the compounder may not compound, regularly or in inordinate amounts, drugs that are essentially copies of a commercially available drug. FDA treats a product as essentially a copy unless a prescriber determines and documents a change that produces a significant difference for an identified patient. FDA says it does not intend, at this time, to act on that limit if a compounder fills four or fewer prescriptions of that product in a calendar month. FDA, April 1, 2026 update.
- Section 503B (outsourcing facilities).Outsourcing facilities are restricted from compounding with bulk drug substances unless the substance is on the 503B bulks list or the drug is on FDA's shortage list. FDA says tirzepatide and semaglutide are on neither. Section 503B also restricts making drugs that are essentially a copy of an FDA-approved drug. FDA policy page.
- 2026 proposal, not a final decision. On April 30, 2026, FDA proposed to exclude semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide from the 503B bulks list, finding no clinical need. FDA announcement. It later extended the comment period to July 30, 2026. We found no final decision in the Federal Register as of November 6, 2026.
This describes FDA's public statements. It does not say whether any seller's product is lawful, and it is not legal advice. Ask the prescriber or seller which pharmacy makes your medicine and on what basis.
Red Flags — Warning Signs of a Scam
Fake Celebrity Endorsements
Ads claiming Oprah, Elon Musk, or other celebrities endorse a specific GLP-1 product. These are almost always fabricated using deepfakes or misquoted interviews.
Prices That Seem Too Good to Be True
FDA lists deep discounts and prices that seem too good to be true as a warning sign, especially with no medical consultation. Compare the seller's price and terms with other recorded prices before you pay.
No Named Physicians
The provider won't tell you who their prescribing physicians are. Legitimate providers list their medical team and their credentials publicly.
No Pharmacy Verification
They can't provide the name and state license number of their dispensing pharmacy. Every legitimate pharmacy has a verifiable state license.
Claims of Sameness or FDA Approval
FDA objects to claims that a compounded drug is the same as an FDA-approved drug or a generic, or that it comes from an FDA-approved or FDA-licensed pharmacy. FDA does not approve or license compounding facilities.
Guaranteed Weight Loss Claims
Promises like 'lose 30 lbs in 30 days' or 'guaranteed results.' No legitimate medical provider guarantees specific weight loss outcomes.
No Medical Screening
They'll sell to anyone without medical history review, BMI requirements, or contraindication checks. GLP-1 medications require proper medical evaluation.
Pressure Tactics & Limited Supply
'Only 5 left!' or 'Price going up tomorrow!' Legitimate pharmacies don't use high-pressure sales tactics to sell prescription medication.
Payment via Crypto or Wire Only
Refusal to accept credit cards or standard payment methods. Scammers prefer irreversible payment methods. Legitimate providers accept major credit cards.
Green Flags — Signs of a Legitimate Provider
State-Licensed Pharmacy
The dispensing pharmacy is licensed in your state and you can verify this license with your state board of pharmacy.
Named, Verifiable Physicians
Their medical team includes named physicians whose licenses you can look up on your state medical board website.
Transparent Pricing
All costs are clearly listed upfront — consultation fees, medication costs, and any ongoing charges. No hidden fees.
Trustpilot / BBB Reviews
Verified reviews on independent platforms like Trustpilot or a BBB rating. Not just testimonials on their own website.
Proper Medical Screening
They require medical history, check BMI eligibility, screen for contraindications, and may require lab work before prescribing.
Ongoing Medical Support
Access to medical providers for follow-up questions, dosage adjustments, and side effect management throughout treatment.
Provider Verification Checklist
Go through each item before purchasing from any online GLP-1 provider.
If you cannot check at least 7 of these 10 items, we strongly recommend choosing a different provider. See our listed providers for recorded prices and sources.
FDA Warning Letters: What You Need to Know
FDA has sent warning letters to telehealth companies and compounders. What it has said:
- Marketing claims: on March 3, 2026, FDA announced 30 letters to telehealth companies, citing claims implying sameness with FDA-approved products and branding that implied the telehealth company was the compounder.
- Sterility: a letter dated April 14, 2026 cited inadequate aseptic controls at New Life Pharma LLC, which had recalled semaglutide and tirzepatide multi-dose vials in February 2026.
- Dosing: FDA has received reports of adverse events, some requiring hospitalization, that may be related to dosing errors with compounded injectable semaglutide.
- Salt forms: FDA says semaglutide sodium and semaglutide acetate are different active ingredients and that it is not aware of any lawful basis for their use in compounding.
See our FDA actions tracker for dated entries with links.
The full list of FDA warning letters is available on the FDA's compounding enforcement page.
What To Do If You've Been Scammed
Call your prescriber or a pharmacist
Before your next dose, tell them what you received and from whom, and ask what to do. FDA recommends patients not use an injectable GLP-1 that arrives warm or with insufficient refrigeration.
Contact your bank or credit card company
Dispute the charge and request a chargeback. If you paid by credit card, you have consumer protection rights.
Report to the FDA
File a report with FDA MedWatch at fda.gov/medwatch. This helps the FDA track and shut down bad actors.
Report to your state pharmacy board
File a complaint with your state board of pharmacy. They have authority to investigate and take action against unlicensed sellers.
File an FTC complaint
If you were deceived by false advertising, file a complaint at ftc.gov/complaint. The FTC investigates deceptive health product marketing.
See a doctor
If you took an unverified GLP-1 product and experience any adverse effects, seek medical attention and bring the product with you.
Compare Listed Providers
We record what each provider publishes, the date we read it, and any FDA warning letter we find. We do not independently verify licenses, so use the checklist above as well.