What happened
During the GLP-1 shortages of recent years, US pharmacies were temporarily allowed to make their own "compounded" copies of these drugs, often sold cheaply through telehealth sites, med-spas and wellness clinics.
Now the FDA has proposed closing that door for good. The agency wants to formally exclude semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) and liraglutide from the list of drugs that compounding pharmacies are allowed to make in bulk. The shortages are over, so the legal basis for compounding is going away.
Why this matters
Compounded versions are not FDA-approved. They are not tested for purity or dose the way the branded drugs are, and reports of dosing errors and contamination have followed them. The proposal is, on balance, a safety move.
But it has a real cost for many women: compounded versions were often far cheaper, and for some they were the only affordable option. If you have been relying on one, the supply you have may not continue.
What it means for you
If you are on a compounded GLP-1, this is the moment to talk to your prescriber, before your refill, not after. Ask about the approved versions, about manufacturer savings programmes, and, in the US, about the new Medicare coverage that begins this summer.
Two practical things help that conversation go well: knowing your current dose and start date, and bringing a clear record of how you have actually responded. Our guide to getting more from a GLP-1 appointment walks through exactly what to bring.
