Setting the Record Straight on Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Misinformation
For over two years now, patients across the country have been facing shortages of critical medications like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro® and Zepbound® – all part of the GLP-1 class of drugs, used to treat diabetes and support weight management. During these shortages, legitimate compounding pharmacies like ours have stepped up to ensure continuity of care for patients who might otherwise go without.
But recently, there’s been a wave of misinformation — much of it coming directly from Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk — that’s making patients and providers question the safety and legality of compounded GLP-1 medications.
Let’s clear the air.
Unfortunately, the FDA removed these drugs from the shortage list under pressure from the manufacturers, even though the general public is still complaining of shortages. This is intended to prohibit compounding pharmacies from making it.
Setting the Record Straight on Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Misinformation
Both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have launched public campaigns implying that compounded GLP-1 medications from compounding pharmacies are “counterfeit,” “unsafe,” or “illegitimate.”
These accusations are false, misleading, and harmful to patient care.
The FDA itself allows compounding pharmacies to make drugs on the FDA shortage list.
When commercial GLP-1 medications like semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®) are on FDA’s shortage list, federal law allows licensed pharmacies to compound them for individual patients with a valid prescription.
We don’t “copy” or “knock off” these drugs. Instead, we use the same active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) — sourced from FDA-registered manufacturers — to create individualized therapies that meet patient needs.
*Unfortunately, the FDA has removed these drugs from the shortage list, due to pressure from the drug makers, even though patients, retail pharmacies, and prescribers are reporting massive shortages which are interrupting patient care.
We hope they will reconsider this decision.
Here’s what they don’t tell you:
Compounded medications are legal and regulated.
The FDA itself allows compounding of drugs on the FDA shortage list, which both semaglutide and tirzepatide have been for extended periods.
*Unfortunately, the FDA has removed these drugs from the shortage list, due to pressure from the drug makers, even though patients, retail pharmacies, and prescribers are reporting massive shortages, which are interrupting patient care. We hope they will reconsider this decision.
The active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) used in compounding are NOT COUNTERFEIT.
We obtain ingredients only from FDA-registered manufacturers, accompanied by Certificates of Analysis that confirm identity, purity, and potency.
Compounded drugs are not mass-produced.
They are created for individual patients based on a prescription, which is fundamentally different from mass manufacturing.
Adverse event claims are skewed for compounded versions.
Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have cited data from the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) to scare prescribers and patients. Even the FDA admits this system is “highly misleading,” as it includes unverified reports and cannot determine causation.
The Real Risk?
Disrupted Patient Care
The biggest danger here isn’t the compounded medications — it’s the fear campaign that’s causing doctors to hesitate and patients to go untreated.
Compounding pharmacies like ours fill a critical gap in the healthcare system, especially when drugmakers can’t meet demand. In fact, Congress designed the current laws (like Section 503A of the FDCA) to ensure patients could access medications through compounding during shortages.
When drug companies attempt to blur the line between illegal online sellers and licensed, inspected, accredited pharmacies, it doesn’t protect the public — it harms them.
Our expert pharmacists are here to help. We can help guide you on the best medications for your patients, thoroughly explain how they work, and how to properly prescribe.
Choose a Pharmacy You Can Trust
At Town & Country Compounding, we are:
- Legitimate
- Accredited
- Inspected
- FDA-compliant
- Transparent
We are proud to work hand-in-hand with prescribers to deliver safe, reliable, and high-quality compounded medications when patients need them most.
Learn more at TCCompound.com or reach out to speak with our expert compounding team.
Why Choose Town & Country Compounding?
Our mission is to prioritize patient care by:
• Providing access to medications during shortages.
• Collaborating closely with prescribers to customize treatments.
• Maintaining transparency about our compounding processes.
By choosing Town & Country Compounding, you’re opting for a pharmacy that values quality, safety, and personalized care.
For more information or to discuss your specific needs, visit our website at TCCompound.com or contact us directly.
Here’s the TRUTH
Ingredient Integrity: We source our ingredients from FDA-registered suppliers, each accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis to verify quality.
Regulatory Compliance: Our pharmacy is licensed and regularly inspected by state and national boards, ensuring adherence to all regulations.
Patient Safety: Side effects from compounded medications like semaglutide or tirzepatide are consistent with their commercially available counterparts, as the active ingredients are the same.
These unfounded claims not only misinform but also hinder patient access to necessary treatments.
Learn more about our accredited sterile compounding pharmacy >>
Our Commitment to Excellence
Our accreditations place us in the top 1% of compounding pharmacies
At Town & Country Compounding in Ramsey, NJ, we are not just any compounding pharmacy. We are among the top 1% of compounding pharmacies in the country, holding accreditations that reflect our commitment to excellence:
• PCAB Accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC)
• Full compliance with USP <795>, <797>, and <800> standards
• Inspected by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) and state regulatory agencies
• We only use FDA-registered suppliers and certified bulk drug ingredients (API)
Our state-of-the-art sterile and non-sterile labs are built with one goal: to deliver safe, high-quality custom medications for patients when commercial drugs aren’t an option.
