Why do programs still sell it openly?

They prescribe individualized doses or formulations rather than brand copies, and stand on the personalized-formulation carve-out. Some do it defensibly — named pharmacy, real clinical rationale; some are near-copies with paperwork. Price alone can’t tell you which, so check the register before paying.

Could the shortage — and cheap copies — come back?

If demand outruns supply again, FDA can relist either molecule and the copy exemption reopens automatically. Nothing since early 2025 has broken supply, and both manufacturers added capacity. This page re-checks the database on every update, so the status here is the current one.

Does “in supply” mean my local pharmacy has it?

No — it is a national designation. Individual pharmacies still run out, especially of starter doses. The manufacturer cash channels (NovoCare, LillyDirect, TrumpRx) ship direct from their own supply and are the practical answer to a local stockout, at $149–449/month.

GLP‑1 supply & legality: what’s in shortage, what’s legal to compound

FDA shortage status per molecule and whether compounding it is lawful, with the date each grace period closed and what that means before you buy.

Is it in shortage — and is compounded legal? · Data: FDA shortage database · FDA compounding actions · Checked August 27, 2026

Pick a molecule

Status shown as of August 27, 2026.

“In supply” is FDA’s national designation — local stockouts still happen, which is why the cash programs that ship direct rarely miss fills.

Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus)

per FDA records, checked August 27, 2026

FDA shortage status

In supply

since Feb 21, 2025

Compounded copies

Copies not permitted

since May 22, 2025

FDA removed injectable semaglutide from the drug shortage list on Feb 21, 2025; supply has held through 2026. Grace periods for making copies of approved semaglutide ended Apr 22, 2025 (503A pharmacies) and May 22, 2025 (503B outsourcing facilities). Court challenges to the delisting did not restore them [VERIFY current appeals].

What this means if you’re buying

Brand is reliably fillable, and the cash programs ship direct. Compounded semaglutide is lawful only as a clinically necessary personalized formulation — a prescriber-documented change a brand product can’t satisfy — so volume sellers of near-copies operate in FDA enforcement territory. The safety register checks each program’s pharmacy posture.

Source: FDA drug shortage database · FDA compounding announcements · statuses re-verified on every site update

The timeline that decided today’s rules

FDA shortage database + compounding guidance

Dec 19, 2024

FDA declares the tirzepatide shortage resolved — the first domino

Feb 21, 2025

Semaglutide comes off the shortage list; grace periods start running

Mar–May 2025

Copy exemptions close: tirzepatide Mar 19, semaglutide May 22 (503B)

Aug 27, 2026

Both in supply; only personalized formulations lawful to compound

503A = state-licensed compounding pharmacies (patient-specific scripts). 503B = FDA-registered outsourcing facilities (bulk). During a listed shortage both may compound “essentially a copy” of the brand; once resolved, only clinically necessary personalized formulations remain lawful.

How this tracker works

Supply status is read from the FDA drug shortage database, the legal trigger everything else hangs on: while a drug is listed, federal law lets compounders make what is “essentially a copy” of it; when it delists, grace periods run out and the copy exemption closes. Compounding deadlines come from FDA’s own declined-enforcement announcements for each molecule.

What remains lawful after delisting is the personalized-formulation route: a prescriber documents why a modified strength, additive or dosage form is clinically necessary for a specific patient. FDA and state boards have pursued sellers of near-copies past the deadlines; litigation over the delistings failed to restore them. That is regulatory posture, not settled bright-line law — which is why the register grades each program’s pharmacy documentation rather than declaring anyone legal.

Limits: this page tracks federal status; a few states restrict GLP-1 compounding further. Statuses are re-verified on every site update and the as-of date is printed on every card. None of this is legal advice.

Reading a program’s legal posture — three checks

Named pharmacy, verifiable license

The program says which 503A/503B fills its scripts, and the license checks out with the state board.

A documented clinical rationale

Personalized dosing prescribed for a stated reason — not a brand copy at a discount with paperwork bolted on.

No FDA warning letters on file

The register cross-checks warning letters and import alerts — the provider safety checker automates this next.

Legality questions, answered directly

Copies of the brand are no longer permitted — that exemption died with the shortage listing in 2025. Personalized formulations a prescriber documents as clinically necessary remain lawful under federal compounding law. The distinction is documentation, which is exactly what the safety register grades.

This tracker summarizes public FDA records and is not legal advice; enforcement posture can change faster than any tracker. If your medication supply is interrupted, talk to your prescriber before switching sources.

Data sources · cited with retrieval dates

FDA prescribing informationThe labels for every product a tool names, on the label holder’s own site
Manufacturer cash programsNovoCare, LillyDirect and TrumpRx published self-pay prices
CMS NADACNational Average Drug Acquisition Cost, weekly file

NADAC figures are pharmacy acquisition costs, not retail prices and not what you will pay. This content is educational and is not medical advice.

The data behind this tool · 8 pages

GLP-1 medications Dulaglutide online Exenatide online Liraglutide online Orforglipron online Safety Semaglutide online Tirzepatide online

How this tracker works

Legality questions, answered directly

Is compounded semaglutide illegal now?

Why do programs still sell it openly?

Could the shortage — and cheap copies — come back?

Does “in supply” mean my local pharmacy has it?