7 Questions Every Clinic Should Ask Their GLP-1 Supply Partner
Before committing to a GLP-1 supply partner, clinics should ask these 7 questions. The answers reveal whether a partner is truly compliant — or just claiming to be.
7 Questions Every Clinic Should Ask Their GLP-1 Supply Partner
The GLP-1 supply market has attracted a lot of operators — some compliant, some not. Before you commit to a supply partner, these 7 questions will tell you what you need to know.
1. "Can you provide a Certificate of Analysis for every lot?"
This is the non-negotiable. A compliant compounding pharmacy provides a COA for every lot of medication they produce. The COA should include potency testing, sterility testing, and endotoxin testing results.
Red flag: Any hesitation, partial documentation, or "we can get that to you later."
2. "What is the basis for your BUD dating?"
Beyond-Use Dates must be supported by stability data. Extended BUDs (beyond the default USP limits) require supporting stability studies. A compliant pharmacy can explain exactly what stability data supports their BUD claims.
Red flag: "We use 12-month BUDs on everything" without being able to cite the supporting stability data.
3. "Are you licensed to ship to my state?"
Compounding pharmacies must be licensed in the state where they are located and, in many cases, in the state where they are shipping. Verify this before ordering.
Red flag: "We ship everywhere" without being able to confirm state-specific licensure.
4. "What USP standards do you comply with?"
For sterile compounding (injectables), USP <797> compliance is required. For hazardous drugs, USP <800> applies. A compliant pharmacy can provide documentation of their USP compliance.
Red flag: Vague answers about "following all applicable standards" without specific documentation.
5. "Have you had any FDA warning letters or recalls?"
Check the FDA's database yourself, but also ask directly. A pharmacy with a history of warning letters or Class I recalls is a significant risk.
Red flag: Defensiveness or inability to answer clearly.
6. "How do you monitor FDA 503A/503B guidance changes?"
The regulatory landscape for compounding changes frequently. A serious pharmacy has a compliance team or legal counsel that monitors FDA guidance in real time.
Red flag: "We follow the law" without being able to describe their monitoring process.
7. "What happens if there is a supply disruption?"
High-demand periods, ingredient shortages, and regulatory changes can all disrupt supply. A reliable partner has contingency plans and will communicate proactively.
Red flag: No clear answer, or "that hasn't happened to us."
How MedClinic Partners Answers These Questions
We vet every pharmacy partner against these standards before connecting them with our provider network. Our team includes attorneys with pharmaceutical regulatory backgrounds who monitor FDA guidance in real time.
Apply for portal access — access our pre-vetted network in 60 seconds.
Related reading: How to Verify Pharmacy Compliance · Compliance Standards · How Onboarding Works
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Written by
MedClinic Partners Editorial Team
B2B Medical Supply & Compounding Experts
The MedClinic Partners editorial team is composed of licensed medical operators, compounding compliance specialists, and professionals with mass-tort pharmaceutical backgrounds and direct experience running GLP-1 and peptide programs across all 50 states. Every article is reviewed for clinical accuracy, regulatory compliance, and practical applicability before publication.
Editorial standards: All content on medclinicpartners.com is reviewed by licensed medical operators and compounding compliance specialists before publication. Articles are updated when regulatory guidance changes. This content is for licensed healthcare providers only and does not constitute medical advice.
