Beside the evidence
A prescription is part of the rule
US prescription medicines require a valid prescription from a licensed practitioner, under the federal rule checked in September 2026.
Read the federal prescription ruleKeep help in reach
Pause an offer that leaves basic questions open
A clear website can still leave key details unanswered. Use these checks before a payment or a commitment.
An offer without a prescription
Ask who assesses the patient and who would write any prescription.
- Who is making the medical decision?
- Can I check that person’s licence?
- Can I ask that person questions before agreeing?
A label saying “research use only”
Ask what the label means for the product being offered to you.
Beside the evidence
Look at what the seller is offering
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wrote to sellers about this. Those letters were checked in September 2026. FDA said their research-only labels did not excuse offering unapproved medicines for people to use.
These letters said what FDA believed particular sellers had done wrong. They were not decisions made by a court.
Read an FDA letter about products offered for human useBeside the evidence
Being on an FDA record is not approval
A business registers by sending FDA its details for the agency’s records. The rule checked in September 2026 says this gives no FDA approval to that business or its medicines.
Ask whether FDA approved the exact medicine and where that decision can be checked.
Read FDA’s account of approval claimsChoosing from a list without discussing your health
Ask for a conversation about your concern before choosing from an offer.
- Will someone review what is happening to me?
- Can we talk about other approaches?
- Who will answer after the visit?