Bypassing Prescribers and Pharmacists: Online Purchasing of Semaglutide and Tirzepatide “For Research Purposes”

Abstract

Unscrupulous manufacturers provide consumers with ways to circumvent access controls by purchasing drug products outside the legitimate prescription drug supply chain. Manufacturers are selling vials containing semaglutide and tirzepatide to consumers without a prescription for “research purposes only” and/or “not for human consumption,” but frequently without the supplies and knowledge they would need to dissolve the active ingredient, draw it up into a syringe, and inject it into the body. Avoiding prescribers allows consumer access to products where the risk may outweigh the benefits and quality standards may not be met. It also makes it difficult to prevent drug interactions or perform adequate patient monitoring and follow-up.