A research label does not answer the care question.
FDA is short for the agency’s full name, Food and Drug Administration. It is the US drug regulator.
FDA’s warning as of September 2026 advises against research-labelled weight-loss ingredients sold for human use: their quality has not been established, and using them may be harmful. [b]
“Research use only” is a label for research, not a patient care plan. [b]
Ask for the exact medicine, the person writing the prescription, and the pharmacy filling it.
Watch for approval claims that do not fit.
With compounding, a pharmacist or doctor prepares medicine for one patient’s needs instead of providing a drug company’s finished product. [c]
A claim of FDA approval for a compounded drug is false as of September 2026. [c]
Medical offices and health care providers receive no FDA approval as of September 2026. [c]
If approval is claimed, ask for the FDA approval letter and official medicine label; check the exact product name and health uses.
A polished page is not a licence record.
A health website can fake a badge, logo, or refund promise, the Federal Trade Commission warns. [d]
FDA’s checklist for pharmacies calls for state licensing, a valid prescription, and a licensed pharmacist available to answer questions. [a]
Check the pharmacy’s licence through your state pharmacy board. Ask how to speak with a licensed pharmacist, and check that the phone number or message service works. Keep a copy of any claim you want explained.
Read payment demands before sending money.
The Federal Trade Commission warns as of September 2026 about demands that limit payment to gift cards, cryptocurrency (digital money), wire or bank transfers, or payment apps. [e]
The agency says such a demand signals a likely scam. [e]
Ask for the written payment and cancellation terms before you commit.
Page notes
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- [b]
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- [d]
- [e]
Information checked as of September 2026.