Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has issued warnings to 14 medical spas across the state regarding potentially misleading advertising practices related to weight-loss drugs. These spas have reportedly advertised custom-made compounds of semaglutide and tirzepatide as comparable to FDA-approved medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro.
Yost emphasizes the importance of providing consumers with honest information. "People deserve clear and accurate information about the medications they’re putting in their bodies," he stated. "We’re reminding businesses that being truthful isn’t just a good business practice — it’s the law."
The attorney general addressed his warnings to the following establishments:
- Beneficial Health
- Docere Medical and Aesthetic Center
- Glow Medispa
- Jiva Med Spa
- Limelight Laser and Medical Spa
- Live Well Chiropractic & Medical
- New Pathways Clinic
- Ohio Weight Loss & Wellness Clinic
- Personalized Vitality Clinic
- Restore Hyper Wellness OH
- Summit MedAesthetics
- TrueForm Health and Wellness
- Youngstown Medical Weight Loss
- Zinni Family Practice
Yost clarified the risks associated with compounded drugs. These drugs are not approved by the FDA, unlike their brand-name counterparts, which have undergone rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness. He stressed that compounded drugs are also not generics, as generics receive FDA approval and adhere to established standards, while compounded versions do not undergo such regulations.
While compounded drugs may be necessary for patients unable to use FDA-approved medications, Yost urges businesses to avoid misleading claims about their safety or efficacy. Consumers who suspect they have been deceived can file complaints with the Consumer Protection Section of the Ohio Attorney General's office online or by phone.