How to Spot a Legitimate GLP-1 Telehealth Provider

Telehealth can make it easier to talk with a licensed clinician. It has also attracted sellers that cut corners. This checklist draws on the FDA's published guidance so you can evaluate any provider, including ones we list.

What the FDA recommends

On its GLP-1 safety page, the FDA recommends that patients:

• Get a prescription from their doctor and fill it at a state-licensed pharmacy.
• Use the FDA's BeSafeRx resources when buying prescription medicine online.
• Talk to their doctor if they have questions about their medicines.
• Contact the compounder or telehealth platform if they have questions about instructions or label information.

Signs of a safer online pharmacy (FDA BeSafeRx)

The FDA says an online pharmacy is likely safe if it:

• Always requires a doctor's prescription
• Provides a physical address and telephone number in the United States
• Has a licensed pharmacist on staff to answer questions
• Is licensed with a state board of pharmacy

You can look up state-licensed online pharmacies through the FDA's "Locate a State-Licensed Online Pharmacy" page.

Warning signs

The FDA lists these as warning signs for online pharmacies and telehealth companies:

• Doesn't require a doctor's prescription, or doesn't screen you before providing medicine
• Isn't licensed in the U.S. and by your state board of pharmacy
• Has no licensed pharmacist or licensed doctor available to answer questions after the medicine arrives
• Claims a compounded drug is the same as an FDA-approved drug
• Offers deep discounts or prices that seem too good to be true
• Sends medicine that looks different from what you've received before or from what the website shows, or that arrives damaged, in a foreign language, expired, or without instructions
• Has spelling errors on the label or incorrect pharmacy addresses
• Charges you for products you never ordered or received
• Doesn't give clear written protections for your personal and financial information, or sells it to other websites
• Sells products labeled "for research purposes" or "not for human consumption" for human use

Practical checks you can do

1. Confirm who is prescribing

The site should identify its clinicians or clinical group. Look up a clinician's license on your state medical board's website.

2. Expect a real evaluation

A legitimate provider reviews your history, medications, and goals before prescribing, and may decide not to prescribe. A site that promises a prescription without clinician review is a warning sign. See who shouldn't take GLP-1 medications.

3. Ask which pharmacy fills the prescription

Ask for the pharmacy's name and verify its license with your state board of pharmacy or through the FDA's locator.

4. Ask whether the medication is FDA-approved or compounded

See FDA-approved vs. compounded GLP-1 medications.

5. Get the total cost in writing

Ask for the visit fee, any membership, the medication price, and supplies, along with cancellation and refund terms. See our cost guide.

6. Ask about follow-up

Ask how to reach a clinician after the medicine arrives, how side effects are handled, and how dose changes are decided.

7. Read the privacy policy

Check who receives your health information and whether texts or calls require your consent.

How manufacturers describe their own programs

Both major manufacturers offer direct-to-patient pharmacy programs that still require a prescription from a licensed provider.

• LillyDirect says it works with licensed third-party dispensing pharmacies. On October 4, 2026, its page named four: Amazon Pharmacy, Fuze Health, Gifthealth, and Walmart Pharmacy. LillyDirect's telehealth listing states that providers apply independent clinical judgment, that Lilly does not endorse or recommend them, and that medication costs are separate from visit fees.
• NovoCare Pharmacy is operated by CoAssist Pharmacy, doing business as NovoCare Pharmacy, according to NovoCare's Wegovy page.

A note on comparison and referral sites, including ours

Sites that compare providers often earn compensation from them. That doesn't make the information wrong, but you should know about it. We disclose our relationships on our disclosure page. We encourage you to verify any provider's licensing, pharmacy, and pricing yourself using the checks above.

Quick checklist

• Named, licensed clinicians (verified with the state medical board)
• Clinical review before any prescription
• Pharmacy named and verified as state-licensed
• FDA-approved vs. compounded stated clearly
• Total cost and cancellation terms in writing
• Follow-up and support plan
• Clear privacy policy