As of April 2025, the FDA has officially declared the shortages of GLP-1 weight loss medications like semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) resolved after years of supply issues. This brings major shifts to the industry for medspa owners and providers both on the patient care front and behind the scenes in inventory and compliance.

During the shortage, many patients turned to medspas and compounding pharmacies for access to these sought-after medications. Now that FDA-approved versions are more available through traditional pharmacy channels, patients must shift away from compounded options and are expected to obtain the medicine through FDA-approved, standardized, insurance-covered prescriptions.

What to Expect from Patients:

• More patients asking for support navigating insurance coverage or pharmacy pickup.
• An increase in consults from patients who were waitlisted elsewhere.
• Questions about switching from compounded to brand-name products.

For Practices: Inventory & Compliance Impacts

With semaglutide and tirzepatide off the FDA’s shortage list, 503A and 503B compounding of these drugs will soon end (by April 22 and May 22, 2025, respectively). That means:

• Medspas sourcing compounded GLP-1s will need to stop ordering or offering them.
• Non-compliance could trigger legal or licensing issues—make sure to double-check with your medical director and legal counsel.
• If your practice offers majority GLP-1 weight loss, now’s the time to start evolving and diversifying your service mix.

What’s Next: Future-Proofing Your Practice

1. Partner with Pharmacies
   Build relationships with retail and specialty pharmacies to streamline patient access to GLP-1s through proper channels.
2. Educate Your Team
   Train your staff to communicate changes, guide patients through insurance processes, and explain the shift from compounded to commercial medications.
3. Diversify Your Weight Loss Programs
   Complement GLP-1 treatments with lifestyle coaching, nutrition, and other wellness services. Position your practice as a long-term wellness partner, not just a prescription source.
4. Watch the Market
   More oral GLP-1s are in development. Stay up to date with drug pipeline news so you're ready to pivot or expand when the time comes.

In Summary:

The GLP-1 medication landscape is stabilizing, but that stability brings change. This is a prime opportunity for aesthetic practices to upgrade processes, stay compliant, and evolve services to better meet the needs of today's wellness-focused clients.

Medspa owners should continue to follow FDA guidelines and ensure their weight loss programs align with regulatory requirements. Also, stay current on any changes with regards to future short listing. It’s possible that practices are stocking up on supply, meaning we could end up in a shortage situation again in the future.

Additionally, compounding pharmacies are pushing back against the FDA, stating they are producing adequate products that many patients still need. And, finally, we are seeing cases where providers are writing prescriptions for certain compounding of drugs if they feel the patient has a compelling reason that requires a specific compounded product.

Bottom line: We’ll stay close to the news, and so should you.