How to evaluate an online peptide provider

Know who is responsible for your care

Ask for the clinical practice's legal name and the name and credentials of the person treating you. A storefront, a clinical practice and a dispensing pharmacy can be separate businesses. Knowing which is which makes it easier to get an answer from the right person.

For a physician, use the Federation of State Medical Boards directory to find the relevant state board and check the license. For another type of clinician, use that profession's licensing board. Confirm that the credentials match the person providing your care.

Verify the dispensing pharmacy yourself

Get the pharmacy's legal name, US address, phone number and license information. Then use the FDA's state pharmacy-board directory to check it. Look up the pharmacy that fills the prescription, rather than searching only for the name on the storefront.

FDA's online-pharmacy guidance emphasizes a prescription requirement and access to a licensed pharmacist. A pharmacy name or a “licensed” badge alone is not verification. Read FDA's buying guidance.

Get specific about the medication

Ask for the active ingredient, strength, route and whether the finished product is FDA-approved or compounded. Research about an ingredient does not automatically establish the results of every formulation containing it.

Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality before marketing. A licensed pharmacy and a prescription do not change that status. Read FDA's compounding explanation.

For example, when comparing PT-141 options, distinguish the compounded injection from Vyleesi and from products sold for research. An ingredient name on a vial does not answer who made it, what is in it, or whether it was prescribed for you.

Understand the plan before you pay

Get clear answers to a few practical questions:

• What medical history, medications and relevant measurements will the clinician review?
• What happens if the requested treatment is unsuitable, and what fees are refundable?
• What is the full charge, how often is it billed, and is there a minimum commitment?
• Who explains dosing, storage and administration for the dispensed prescription?
• How do you reach the clinician for treatment questions and the pharmacist for dispensing questions?

These answers should be available before you are committed to a plan. Save them with your prescription and pharmacy details so you know where to turn later.

How this applies to AnthologyRX

AnthologyRX is a technology and care-coordination platform. Clinical care is provided by independent licensed clinicians affiliated with Arora Health & Aesthetics, LLC. The prescribing decision belongs to the clinician. An approved prescription is dispensed through a licensed pharmacy.

For help obtaining the dispensing pharmacy's identity and license-verification details for a treatment you are considering, contact AnthologyRX. Use the official state-board resource above to check the pharmacy itself. Your clinician and pharmacy handle questions about your individual treatment.

You can also review the people behind AnthologyRX, how care works and our refund policy before starting.