Patients are flocking to compounded weight-loss drugs, but are they safe? (25 January 2025)

Summary

In the US, compounding drugs are medications produced by compounding pharmacies, who typically make personalised versions of medications, such as custom dosages, combinations or allergen-free options. In this JAMA article, US journalist Kate Ruder looks at patient safety concerns linked to the rapid increase in demand for anti-obesity medications including semaglutide and tirzepatide. Kate highlights how high demand, ensuing scarcity, prohibitive costs and restrictive insurance coverage have fuelled the production of compounded versions of these medications under a provision allowing compounding pharmacies to make copycats during drug shortages. Concerns have been raised about the quality of ingredients, accuracy of doses and the supply of counterfeit medications by companies selling fake products, as well as about the potential for user error when they give themselves the medication.