Researchers at Yale University found that patients can obtain GLP-1 prescriptions from online platforms in as little as five minutes using fake profiles, raising significant concerns about the level of clinical oversight in direct-to-consumer healthcare. A study published July 6 in the JAMA medical journal revealed that 45 out of 49 websites tested issued prescriptions with minimal medical scrutiny, often bypassing video consultations or blood work.
How Easily Can GLP-1s Be Obtained Online?
Between August and December 2025, Yale researchers tested 49 websites by creating “simulated patient profiles” that met basic eligibility criteria for GLP-1 medications. The results showed a high success rate for obtaining prescriptions, with only four websites denying the request. According to the study, the median time to receive a prescription was one day or less, and two platforms issued prescriptions for compounded GLP-1s in five minutes or less.
Twenty percent of the websites in the study issued prescriptions based solely on an upper-body photo, despite their own requirements for full-body images or photos showing the patient on a scale.
What Are the Risks of Impersonal Clinical Care?
The study highlights a trend where speed is prioritized over comprehensive patient history. While most websites utilized questionnaires to screen for medical conditions and allergies, only 13 required a video visit, and just three required a phone call. Researchers noted that 75% of the platforms charged and shipped the medications automatically without confirming with the patient first.
“This secret shopper study found that online GLP-1 RA prescription vendors often did not require clinician interaction, relying primarily on patient-reported questionnaires that may not capture important clinical and social history,” the study reported. The researchers identified issues such as multiple prescriptions issued by the same clinicians and a lack of verification for required medical photos.
The Future of Compounded GLP-1 Regulations
A major focus of the study was the prevalence of compounded GLP-1 medications, which were sold by 39 of the 49 websites tested. Researchers observed that these platforms often used “leading” questions regarding personalization to justify the continued sale of compounded versions of the drug.
Federal regulations permit drug compounding only when a medication is in shortage or when a specific patient needs a customized dosage form, such as a liquid rather than a pill. With
