July 2026 · Flagship Report
Safety Report
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The Yale Secret Shopper Study, Full Breakdown: 45 of 49 Sites Failed the Basics

GLP-1 Telemedicine Safety Team

This is the study that defines our mission. A JAMA-published secret shopper investigation sent researchers posing as patients to 49 telehealth GLP-1 platforms in early July 2026. Here's the full breakdown.

Headline finding: 45 of 49 platforms studied prescribed with minimal clinical oversight. Roughly two-thirds involved zero direct interaction with a prescribing clinician before approval.

What researchers actually did

Trained researchers submitted standardized patient profiles to each platform, then evaluated the rigor of clinical review before a prescription was approved — specifically whether a licensed clinician engaged with the specific answers submitted, or whether approval happened largely automatically.

What separated the 4 that passed

What the successful platforms had in common

  • Documented, individualized clinician review before approval
  • Follow-up questions triggered by specific intake answers, not a uniform process regardless of input
  • A defined monitoring plan beyond the initial prescription

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What to do with this information

Use our verification tool before committing to any provider, and ask directly whether a clinician will individually review your specific intake — not just whether "licensed clinicians" are involved somewhere in the process.

Ad Disclosure: We earn commission from featured providers. This does not affect our safety assessments or verification guidance. Medical Disclaimer: Informational only, not medical advice. Consult a licensed provider. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
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The GLP-1 Cost & Provider Comparison Guide

10 pages breaking down real all-in monthly costs, what drives price differences between providers, and the questions to ask before you commit.