As demand for weight-loss medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy increases, some patients are turning to medical spas or telehealth weight-loss clinics that offer compounded versions as alternative sources for these drugs – however, these facilities are unlicensed to administer them, as their use requires physician oversight.
Can med spas prescribe Ozempic?
Med spas are medical-based aesthetic treatment facilities that combine elements of both day spas and clinics. Offering treatments such as hair restoration, Botox injections, microneedling, fillers, weight loss programs, and more; unlike traditional day spas, which typically employ licensed healthcare practitioners (physicians and nurses), these med spas offer more.
Ozempic and Wegovy are popular weight loss medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration, popular among consumers looking for fast solutions. But can med spas or telehealth practices legally prescribe these drugs, and are they safe for patients?
Various states mandate that medical spas obtain a valid prescription prior to dispensing any medication and collecting information about patient’s medical histories and any preexisting conditions that exist. Failing to adhere to this protocol could expose patients to serious health risks.
Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, has filed lawsuits against multiple med spas and weight loss clinics for illegally selling their medications. Furthermore, non-licensed physician offices could potentially violate laws by sharing profits with non-physician staff members or sharing profits among non-medical staffers.
Can med spas compound Ozempic?
As demand for the weight-loss medications Ozempic and Wegovy has skyrocketed, more individuals who do not meet the criteria for clinical obesity (with a BMI above 30) or type-2 diabetes are seeking out medical spas or telehealth services to receive shots containing FDA-approved semaglutide; but are they receiving an adulterated version?
Med spas provide services between day spas and aesthetic medical centers that specialize in aesthetic medicine, offering treatments such as fillers, microneedling, and Botox. Most often, they are supervised by a physician to ensure all procedures fall within their scope of practice.
However, some medical spas are hiring non-physician employees for nonclinical tasks like marketing, branding, accounting, and human resources – this practice, known as fee-splitting, could violate medical ethics codes and lead to license revocation for physicians involved.
Can med spas add vitamins to Ozempic?
As more individuals seek effective ways to enhance their appearance, demand for medical spa services has skyrocketed. These clinics provide both aesthetic and medical treatments, such as hair restoration, Botox injections, and micro needling, as well as relaxing spa-like experiences for their clients.
Novo Nordisk claims that some med spas are illegally adding vitamins to compounded semaglutide and has filed lawsuits against four such establishments located in New York, Florida, Texas, and Tennessee for selling it without valid prescriptions.
Semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, should be administered weekly by injection into either the abdomen or thigh. It works to decrease appetite while increasing energy by acting like a hormone that naturally regulates blood sugar. Furthermore, Semaglutide helps reset your biological set point so you can maintain a healthy weight. However, Semaglutide should be avoided in patients suffering from diabetes or certain medical conditions, such as pancreatitis and kidney disease.
Can med spas sell Ozempic?
A medical spa (also referred to as a “med spa”) offers both aesthetic and medical services such as Botox(r), Microneedling(r), Fillers, and Hair Restoration services. Most clinics operate under either physician ownership or a partnership between an entrepreneur and physician – or both together. In some cases, only the medical aspect is owned by the physician while its non-physician owner handles aspects such as marketing, branding, payroll processing, human resource issues, or any other areas unrelated to health care provided at the clinic.
Since it was approved by the FDA for treating type 2 diabetes in 2017, semaglutide (the active ingredient found in Ozempic and Wegovy) has become a hotly marketed weight loss drug. Novo Nordisk – its manufacturer – has filed multiple lawsuits against various med spas, telehealth weight loss clinics, and compounding pharmacies that were selling unapproved versions during a shortage.
People searching for cheaper, unapproved versions of Semaglutide medication have turned to medical spas and telehealth weight loss programs offering compounded semaglutide shots – however, this practice is illegal.