He turned to an online telehealth provider, Henry Meds, to get a compounded GLP-1 instead. When drugs are in shortage, pharmacies in the United States are legally allowed to create “compounded” versions—essentially, full-blown copies—so that people can still access the medications. The FDA gave small pharmacies until February 18 to stop making tirzepatide, while larger outsourcing facilities had until March 19. The move has left many US patients scrambling for alternative options. GLP-1s are so effective at helping people lose weight and improve their health that many patients fear going off of them.