LegitScript’s Data Reveals 1200% Increase in Violative and Problematic Advertisements for GLP-1 Medications
July 16 2024 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
LegitScript Has Seen Nearly a 100% increase
in New Applications for its Healthcare Merchant Certification
Program Year Over Year
Recent LegitScript data reveals the skyrocketing promotion of
both GLP-1 medications and reported ads associated with selling
compounded GLP-1 medications. Leaders in merchant and product
certification and monitoring in the advertising, e-commerce, and
payment sectors, LegitScript’s findings show both a rapid rise in
demand for Healthcare Certification by businesses offering
compounded GLP-1 drugs, as well as a sharp increase in problematic
GLP-1 products being peddled online that are violating laws across
jurisdictions worldwide and potentially endangering unsuspecting
consumers.
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Compounded GLP-1 medications are custom-made by specialized
pharmacies that take advantage of a special FDA allowance resulting
from a severe shortage of the medications. However, the sharp
demand for these products and the lack of FDA approval of
compounded GLP-1 is raising concerns about the safety,
effectiveness, and consistency of these medications, which have
grown popular for weight loss.
LegitScript Findings:
- Explosive Ad Growth: LegitScript tracks online activity
across major platforms, and our monitoring of online ads has
revealed a more than 200% increase in violative or problematic
GLP-1-related ads in the first half of 2024 compared to all of
2023, and a roughly 1200% increase compared to all of 2022. More
than half a million individual ads referencing GLP-1s were
monitored by LegitScript in just the last two months.
- Surge in Certification Applications: In the first six
months of 2024, LegitScript has received nearly the same amount
(94%) of new healthcare merchant applications received in all of
2023. This follows a strong growth trend as consumer trust and
interest in telemedicine increases, with applications increasing by
47% from 2022 to 2023.
- Rapid Rise in Compounding Pharmacies: More than 60% of
the providers that have applied for LegitScript Healthcare Merchant
Certification focus on weight-loss medication, and of those, 98%
offer compounded GLP-1s.
- Impermissible Advertising: LegitScript has found that
83% of problematic ads for GLP-1 medications are being promoted in
jurisdictions where advertisements for prescription medicines are
not allowed. Additionally, 15% of flagged ads offer the medication
entirely without prescription requirements, raising concerns about
the authenticity and safety of those drugs.
“Our efforts focus on fostering a trustworthy online environment
where consumers can make informed decisions about their health and
well-being,” said LegitScript CEO Scott Roth. “By working
collaboratively across the ecosystem, we help ensure that consumers
have access to safe and effective solutions and medications.”
Warning to Consumers
- Consumers seeking weight-loss solutions online should avoid
websites offering GLP-1 medications without a prescription.
- Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved; be wary of any company
claiming to have compounded GLP-1 drugs that are FDA-approved.
There are also no FDA-approved generic versions of these
products.
- Consumers should look on telemedicine websites for the dynamic
LegitScript seal, typically located in the footer. This shows that
the company has been LegitScript-certified for demonstrating
compliance.
- Certified online pharmacies can be verified via LegitScript’s
certification database.
- Legitimate pharmacies accept standard payment methods like
credit cards; requests for wire transfers, prepaid cards, or
cryptocurrency are a warning sign.
“The meteoric rise in the popularity of GLP-1 medications has
created a breeding ground for online scams and the sale of
unauthorized products,” Roth said. “Our data shows a concerning
rise in non-compliant advertising and the sale of these medications
without a prescription, putting consumers at a great risk.
Consumers should be wary of any online offer for prescription
medications that seems too good to be true, and they should always
consult with a licensed physician before starting any new
medication.”
As the leader in merchant and product certification and
monitoring in the advertising, e-commerce, and payment sectors,
LegitScript tackles the sale of problematic healthcare products as
well as more than 60 other high-risk categories — including
counterfeits, weapons, and online gambling — with a multi-pronged
approach that employs big data, AI-powered technology, and human
expertise. This includes helping major platforms and e-commerce
marketplaces remove misleading advertisements and bad actors
operating in a variety of industries. LegitScript also protects
payment facilitators, ISOs, and acquirers from violative merchants
of all types, and works with merchants operating in highly
regulated industries to help them ensure compliance and build
trust. By working with all key players, LegitScript helps to foster
a safer online environment for consumers.
For more information about the sale of GLP-1 medications, see
our FAQ.
About LegitScript
LegitScript has been leading the charge for a safer, more
transparent internet and payments ecosystem for more than 15 years
— combining technology and data with a team of experts skilled in
monitoring, certification, and investigations. LegitScript’s broad
and deep view across the entire commercial internet provides unique
insights from all industries and angles, allowing businesses to
evaluate, manage, and mitigate risk. That’s why LegitScript is
trusted by the world's largest internet platforms, payments
companies, and regulatory agencies.
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Bailey Wray anthonyBarnum Public Relations
bailey.wray@anthonybarnum.com 318.470.5403