What a GLP-1 ad can't say
In the US, FDA set the line in a February 6, 2026 statement:
"In promotional materials, companies cannot claim that non-FDA-approved compounded products are generic versions or the same as drugs approved by FDA. They also cannot state compounded drugs use the same active ingredient as the FDA-approved drugs or that compounded drugs are clinically proven to produce results for the patient." (FDA, February 6, 2026)
On March 3, 2026, FDA announced warning letters to 30 telehealth companies. The main violations were "claims implying sameness with FDA-approved products" and branding compounded drugs with the telehealth firm's own name "without qualification, implying they are the compounder" (FDA, March 3, 2026).
| Ad wording | Where it stands |
|---|---|
| "Generic Ozempic" or "generic semaglutide" | Named by FDA as a claim companies cannot make |
| "Same active ingredient as Wegovy" | Named by FDA as a claim companies cannot make |
| "Clinically proven results" for a compounded drug | Named by FDA as a claim companies cannot make |
| "Our semaglutide," with no compounding pharmacy named | The March letters cited branding that implies the seller is the compounder |
| "Lose 20 lbs in a month" | Needs proof under the FTC Act (below) |
FDA warned that failing to fix violations "may result in legal action without further notice, including, without limitation, seizure and injunction" (FDA).
Is compounded semaglutide still allowed?
The shortage that let pharmacies make copies is over. FDA declared the tirzepatide shortage resolved on December 19, 2024 and the semaglutide shortage resolved on February 21, 2025 (FDA). The grace periods for pharmacies have ended. For outsourcing facilities they ran to March 19, 2025 for tirzepatide and May 22, 2025 for semaglutide.
Compounding itself is still legal under conditions. A state-licensed pharmacy may not regularly make "essentially copies" of an approved drug, unless the prescriber documents a change that "produces a significant difference" for an identified patient. FDA says adding vitamin B12 to semaglutide can still count as a copy. It does not count copies as made "regularly or in inordinate amounts" if the pharmacy fills four or fewer prescriptions of one in a calendar month (FDA).
FDA's consumer page lists, as a red flag, a company that "makes claims such as the compounded drug is the same as an FDA-approved drug" (FDA). Whether your supply chain qualifies is a question for your pharmacy and a lawyer, not your ad copy.
Google Ads: drug names and online prescribing
Google's prescription drug list includes semaglutide, tirzepatide, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound. In the US and Canada, you may use those words in ads and landing pages without certification, but "you must be certified in order to keyword-target these terms" (Google: Restricted drug terms).
A second policy applies if you prescribe or ship online. Google restricts "services related to the online prescribing, dispensing, and sale of prescription drugs," and those advertisers must be certified (Google: Prescription drug services). In the US and Canada, Google allows telemedicine providers if they're accredited by LegitScript (Google: Healthcare and medicines). The steps are in LegitScript certification.
Meta: GLP-1 ads follow the prescription drug policy
Meta's weight loss rules send prescription products to its drug policy: "For weight loss products that require prescription, please refer to Drugs and Pharmaceuticals ads policy" (Meta: Health and wellness).
That policy requires active LegitScript certification for online pharmacies and telehealth providers, Meta authorization, a disclaimer to consult a licensed health professional or obtain a valid prescription, and targeting of people 18 or older in the US, Canada or New Zealand only (Meta: Drugs and pharmaceuticals). Meta's health rules also bar "statements of inferiority about physical appearance" and close-ups of "pinching fat" in weight loss ads (Meta: Health and wellness). Its July 22, 2026 update dropped the earlier ban on side-by-side weight loss comparisons; the drug policy above still applies.
The FTC: prices, results and reviews
The FTC polices the rest of the ad. In 2025 it took action against NextMed, a telehealth weight loss company, over "deceptive claims about costs and weight loss, fake reviews, and fake testimonials." The final order, approved December 3, 2025, requires a $150,000 payment expected to fund consumer refunds (FTC: NextMed, FTC news release). Three habits to check in your own ads:
- Price. If the monthly price leaves out the drug, labs or visits, say so next to the price.
- Results. Average weight loss numbers need records behind them.
- Reviews. Only real patients, unedited. The full review rules are in asking for reviews.
Canada: name, price and quantity
Wegovy and Mounjaro are prescription drugs in Canada (Health Canada: Wegovy, Mounjaro). Ads to the public may say nothing beyond "the brand name, the proper name, the common name and the price and quantity of the drug" (Food and Drug Regulations, C.01.044). A weight loss claim next to a drug name falls outside that list. The same rule is explained for Botox in Botox advertising rules.
Example
A med spa runs "Compounded semaglutide, same ingredient as Ozempic, $199/mo"
Two problems: the "same ingredient" claim is one FDA named, and the price may hide visit or lab fees. A safer version names the program, the price and what it includes, and says a provider decides if a prescription fits.
A clinic wants Google traffic for "Wegovy near me"
Without certification it can't bid on the drug name. It can bid on "medical weight loss clinic" and mention the drug on the page.
A Vancouver clinic boosts an Instagram post: "Wegovy melts fat"
That is a benefit claim next to a prescription drug name, outside name, price and quantity. It also needs Meta's drug-ad approval.
Different for you?
- Also advertising Botox or fillers: Botox advertising rules.
- Selling online with telehealth visits: LegitScript certification.
- Meta blocked your pixel events: Meta ads for clinics.
- Want the campaigns run inside these rules: Paid Ads Agent.