The risks of prescribing GLP-1 drugs: Pharma ties and kickbacks

GLP-1 receptor agonists—such as semaglutide and tirzepatide—are transforming obesity and diabetes care, offering dramatic results in weight loss and blood sugar control. But as demand for these drugs skyrockets, so do concerns about the legal and clinical risks for prescribing physicians. Medical Economics spoke with Ericka Adler, a health care attorney with Roetzel & Andress to discuss the key issues doctors need to keep in mind when prescribing GLP-1 medications.

From ensuring informed consent to navigating long-term safety data, physicians must strike a careful balance between patient demand and professional responsibility. We discuss common pitfalls, including prescribing without proper documentation and relying on compounding pharmacies. We also look at the evolving regulatory landscape and what that could mean for medical liability.

Whether you're already prescribing GLP-1s or just considering it, this video provides essential guidance to help you protect your practice and your patients. In this episode, Adler discusses the risks of having ties to or accepting gifts from the pharmaceutical industry.