Featured Articles
Nationwide: the FDA's GLP-1 telehealth crackdown and the prescriber-network gap
The FDA's warning letters on compounded GLP-1 marketing exposed how telehealth platforms and prescribing networks split responsibility. What med spas should check.
Key facts:
- The FDA issued 30 warning letters to telehealth companies over compounded GLP-1 marketing.
- One named company, MEDVi, was cited in a February 20, 2026 letter.
- Many platforms don't prescribe themselves. Affiliated medical groups do, which can create accountability gaps.
- Intake-form-only evaluations may not meet state prescribing standards.
What did the FDA flag?
The FDA issued 30 warning letters to telehealth companies marketing compounded GLP-1 drugs with claims it called false or misleading. In a February 20, 2026 letter to MEDVi, the FDA cited claims like "same active ingredient as Wegovy and Ozempic," which are misleading because compounded drugs are not FDA-approved. See the FDA warning letter.
What is the prescriber-network issue?
A March 2026 analysis found that many of these platforms don't actually prescribe. They rely on clinicians in affiliated medical groups to evaluate patients and write prescriptions. That split between the marketing platform and the prescribing group can leave gaps in who's accountable for patient evaluation, prescribing, and follow-up. Asynchronous, intake-form-only evaluations may not meet state requirements for prescribing injectables.
What it means for your med spa
If you work with any telehealth or prescribing partner, get clear on who owns each step. Vet partners for compliance with state prescribing laws and scope of practice, make sure evaluations meet your state's Good Faith Exam standard, and confirm your marketing matches how care is actually delivered.
FAQs
Are intake-form-only evaluations enough to prescribe GLP-1s?
Often not. Many states require a real evaluation that an intake form alone may not satisfy.
Why does the platform-versus-prescriber split matter?
It can blur accountability for evaluation, prescribing, and follow-up, which is exactly where enforcement looks.
Fresh Clinics helps med spa owners vet partners and meet Good Faith Exam standards. Learn more about Fresh Clinics membership.
Nationwide: Amazon's One Medical GLP-1 program and what it signals for med spas
Amazon launched a GLP-1 program through One Medical, bundling telehealth, prescribing, and pharmacy. Here's the signal for how med spas should structure GLP-1 care.
Key facts:
- On April 21, 2026, Amazon launched a GLP-1 Management Program through One Medical, nationwide.
- It bundles screening, provider consults, prescribing, follow-up, and pharmacy fulfillment.
- On-demand telehealth handles renewals only, not new prescriptions.
- This is a commercial launch, not a regulatory action.
What did Amazon launch?
On April 21, 2026, Amazon introduced a GLP-1 Management Program through its One Medical platform, available nationwide. It runs a single care pathway: pre-visit screening, a structured consultation with a licensed provider, prescribing, follow-up visits, and clinical monitoring. Prescriptions can be filled at the patient's pharmacy of choice. See Amazon's announcement.
Is this a regulation?
No. It's a commercial program, not a government action. But it matters because it sets a market benchmark for what doing GLP-1 properly looks like: provider-led evaluation, real follow-up, and documentation, with on-demand telehealth limited to renewals rather than new prescribing.
What it means for your med spa
If you offer GLP-1 services, this is the bar patients will start comparing you to. Build a care pathway with genuine assessment, prescribing by a licensed provider, follow-up, and monitoring. Align provider involvement with your state's requirements, and document how prescriptions are issued and filled, especially when a third-party or integrated pharmacy is involved.
FAQs
Can patients get a new GLP-1 prescription through Amazon's on-demand telehealth?
No. That channel handles renewals only. New prescriptions go through the structured consultation.
Does this change any law for med spas?
No. It's a commercial program, but it signals the standard of care patients will expect.
Fresh Clinics helps med spa owners build compliant, well-documented GLP-1 care pathways. Learn more about Fresh Clinics membership.
Nationwide: the CMS-FDA RAPID device pathway, and why it likely won't touch your med spa
CMS and the FDA launched the RAPID pathway to speed Medicare coverage for Breakthrough Devices. Here's why most aesthetic devices fall outside it.
Key facts:
- On April 23, 2026, CMS and the FDA announced the RAPID coverage pathway.
- It aligns FDA authorization timing with Medicare coverage review for certain Breakthrough Devices.
- It applies only to eligible Class II and Class III devices for serious or life-threatening conditions.
- Elective cosmetic and aesthetic devices are not in scope.
What is RAPID?
On April 23, 2026, CMS and the FDA announced the RAPID (Regulatory Alignment for Predictable and Immediate Device) pathway. It coordinates the timing of FDA market authorization with Medicare's National Coverage Determination review, so eligible devices reach Medicare coverage faster. See the CMS announcement and the FDA announcement.
Does it apply to aesthetic devices?
Almost certainly not. RAPID applies only to certain FDA-designated Breakthrough Devices, which are for life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating conditions. The agencies did not identify elective cosmetic devices or routine med spa procedures as eligible. Energy-based systems, body contouring, and lasers stay under their existing FDA authorization pathways, such as 510(k), and state oversight.
What it means for your med spa
This one is mostly a good-to-know, not an action item. Still, it's a useful prompt to review how each of your device-based technologies is FDA-classified and authorized, and to make sure your marketing reflects the actual cleared indications. More detail is coming through a Federal Register notice and public comment.
FAQs
Will RAPID speed up coverage for my laser or body-contouring device?
No. Those are elective aesthetic devices and fall outside the Breakthrough Devices Program and RAPID.
What devices does RAPID cover?
Certain FDA-designated Breakthrough Devices for serious or life-threatening conditions.
Fresh Clinics helps med spa owners keep device marketing aligned with FDA-cleared indications. Learn more about Fresh Clinics membership.
