February 13, 2026

Washington, D.C. — The Health Equity Coalition for Chronic Disease (HECCD) today issued the below statement following news reports of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s recent steps to combat the proliferation and marketing of non–FDA-approved compounded, or “copycat,” GLP-1 obesity drugs. Compounded medications, which are not FDA approved, present possible threats to the health of millions of Americans living with obesity — especially rural Americans, seniors, and communities of color disproportionately impacted by obesity. In the FDA’s words: “These actions are aimed to safeguard consumers from drugs for which the FDA cannot verify quality, safety, or efficacy.” The answer to unfair and discriminatory coverage barriers to  accessing FDA-approved treatments in both the private insurance market and public health programs, is not leaving patients vulnerable to substitutes that may be both dangerous and a waste of money.

“Obesity is a chronic disease and patients deserve treatments that meet the highest standards of safety, review, and efficacy. When cost or coverage barriers limit access to FDA-approved treatments, low-income communities, rural Americans, seniors, and communities of color are more likely to be pushed toward unsafe or misleading substitutes. This is a health equity issue, not just a regulatory one. Strengthening oversight and curbing misleading marketing are important steps in protecting patients’ health and upholding the integrity of the FDA approval process. But lasting solutions must also expand access to safe, evidence-based obesity care through trusted providers.”

Obesity is a costly epidemic that takes a $170 billion toll on our nation annually, and it’s getting worse: An estimated 42% of American adults are currently living with obesity and some studies estimate that more than half of Americans will be living with obesity by 2030. As more and more Americans turn to anti-obesity medications, increased FDA oversight and scrutiny is important — ensuring that medications undergo rigorous review to solidify the safety, quality, and effectiveness of obesity treatments. For communities disproportionately impacted by obesity — including rural Americans, seniors, and communities of color — further complications stemming from unapproved medications could continue wreaking havoc across higher-risk communities.