An obesity expert who runs a medical practice built almost entirely around treating obesity by video says he has never written a prescription for a compounded GLP-1 drug. He says both things are true because good telemedicine does not cut corners — and he wants the FDA to step in.
In his view, it is past time for the agency to crack down on the online sellers, stand-in prescribers, and bad actors who are exploiting compounding regulations.
Why This Obesity Expert Wants FDA Action on Compounded GLP-1 Drugs
The author describes his practice as one where labs, history, and follow-up are all possible through a screen. That means telemedicine can deliver real obesity care without shortcuts, according to his account.
He points to a gap between that standard and what he sees happening in the compounding market. His concern is not telemedicine itself — it is the way some online sellers and prescribers use compounding rules.
What the Expert Wants the FDA to Say
The article lays out three specific points the expert believes the FDA should put in writing through guidance:
- Cost is not a medical justification for compounding a drug.
- A compounded GLP-1 is not a like-for-like substitute for an approved one.
- Prescribing a compounded GLP-1 without genuine medical necessity puts patients at risk and physicians' licenses on the line.
These three points form the core of his argument. He is not asking for a ban on telemedicine or on obesity treatment by video. He is asking the agency to draw a clear line between legitimate care and compounding done for convenience or price.
What This Means for Patients and Doctors
For patients, the message is direct: a compounded GLP-1 is not the same as an approved version of the drug. For doctors, the warning is equally direct — prescribing one without a real medical reason can put a license at risk.
The expert's position also puts pressure on online sellers and stand-in prescribers. These are the groups he names as the ones exploiting compounding regulations.
Our Take: The Compounding Craze Needs Clear Rules
To put it plainly, this is a case where the technology is not the problem — the enforcement is. Telemedicine can handle obesity care well, as the author's own practice shows. The issue is that compounding rules were not written for a world of online sellers and quick prescriptions.
In our view, the expert's three proposed clarifications are reasonable and easy to understand. Saying cost is not a medical justification is not a radical idea. Saying a compounded drug is not a like-for-like substitute is simply accurate. And warning doctors about their licenses is a fair way to get attention.
The bigger point for readers: if you are getting a GLP-1 through an online seller, ask who is actually prescribing it and why. A prescription without a genuine medical reason is not just a paperwork problem — it is a risk to your health and to the doctor who signed it.
The compounding craze will not stop on its own. Clear FDA guidance would give patients, doctors, and honest telemedicine practices a standard to follow — and would make it harder for bad actors to hide behind vague rules.
