Go to a med spa for GLP-1 injections? That drug may be coming from a red-flagged pharmacy

If you are considering a trip to a med spa for GLP-1 weight-loss injections, you need to start asking some tough questions about the origin of those drugs. A new study from University of Colorado Anschutz researchers has unveiled concerning data regarding the sourcing of these popular medications.

The Hidden Risks of Compounded GLP-1s

Compounded GLP-1s are custom-mixed versions of weight-loss drugs produced by pharmacies rather than official FDA-approved manufacturers. The research team investigated 75 med spas across Oklahoma and West Virginia, discovering that several were sourcing their supply from pharmacies that lacked proper licensing or had been flagged by regulators for dangerous issues regarding their injectable products.

"This market has grown so large and diffuse that it’s difficult for regulators to oversee every pharmacy supplying these medications," noted Michael J. DiStefano, the study’s lead author and an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Anschutz Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

A Market That Refused to Shrink

While the study highlights that compounded versions of drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound were legally produced during the 2022 shortages, those shortages have been over for some time. The FDA declared the tirzepatide shortage resolved in December 2024 and the semaglutide shortage over in February 2025, which, according to FDA guidance, should have effectively ended the legal window for these copycat products.

Despite this, the market continues to expand. Researchers observed that many pharmacies are now adding ingredients like vitamin B12 to create "individualized formulations," a technicality that allows them to bypass regulations and continue compounding.

What the Data Reveals

The research findings were stark: among the 23 compounding pharmacies identified, four were operating without the necessary licenses for sterile compounding. Furthermore, several others had recent histories of FDA warning letters or disciplinary actions. While 205focus.com notes that these drugs have provided a path to treatment for those without insurance coverage, experts warn that patients should not have to gamble between affordability and medical quality.

"Our findings suggest this market didn’t shrink after the shortages ended as many expected," DiStefano stated in the release. While the study did not evaluate the chemical quality of the drugs themselves, it serves as a critical call for greater transparency and oversight within the industry.