Endotoxin — A toxin from the outer wall of certain bacteria that can contaminate poorly made injectable products and trigger fever, chills, and serious reactions.
503B outsourcing facility — An FDA-registered compounding facility that can make larger batches under CGMP standards and FDA inspection — a step above 503A, but still not an FDA-approved manufactured drug.
503A compounding — A section of federal law that lets a licensed pharmacy compound a medication for an individual patient's prescription, outside the FDA approval process.
NovoCare — Novo Nordisk's patient support platform offering savings programs, insurance guidance, and prescription access for its medications, including Ozempic and Wegovy.
LillyDirect — Eli Lilly's direct-to-patient platform offering telehealth access, home delivery, and savings programs for its medications, including Mounjaro and Zepbound.
GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) — A regulatory standard ensuring medications are consistently produced and controlled to quality standards — a key marker of legitimacy for compounded or manufactured drugs.
Grey market — The unauthorized sale of medications outside official manufacturer and pharmacy supply chains — legally distinct from counterfeit, but unregulated and risky.
Compounding pharmacy — A pharmacy licensed to prepare customized medications, including compounded versions of GLP-1 drugs, outside of standard manufacturer production.
Resources
NovoCare — Novo Nordisk's official patient support platform — savings programs, pharmacy delivery, and cost assistance for Ozempic, Wegovy, and other Novo Nordisk medications.
NAIC state insurance department directory — Find contact information for your state's insurance department or commissioner, locate an agent, or file a complaint against an insurer.
Telemedicine — The delivery of clinical medical services remotely, such as virtual doctor visits and prescribing — a subset of telehealth.
Telehealth — The broad use of digital communication technology to deliver healthcare services and information remotely.
Off-label use — Prescribing a medication for a condition or in a manner not officially FDA-approved.
Savings card — A manufacturer-provided coupon that reduces out-of-pocket cost for insured patients, typically not usable with government insurance.
Patient assistance program — A manufacturer- or nonprofit-run program that provides free or discounted medication to eligible patients who can't afford it.
Biosimilar — A biologic medication highly similar to an already-approved reference drug, often available at lower cost once patents expire.
PBM (Pharmacy Benefits Manager) — A third-party company that manages prescription drug benefits on behalf of insurers or employers, including which drugs are covered.
Appeal — A formal request asking your insurer to reconsider a denied claim or prior authorization.
Medical necessity — The insurer's determination that a treatment is required to diagnose or treat a condition, often required for coverage approval.
Out-of-pocket maximum — The most you'll have to pay for covered services in a plan year before insurance covers 100% of costs.
Deductible — The amount you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance starts covering costs.
Coinsurance — The percentage of a drug's cost you're responsible for paying, after any deductible is met.
Copay — A fixed dollar amount you pay out-of-pocket for a prescription or visit, set by your insurance plan.
Compounded semaglutide — A version of semaglutide made by a compounding pharmacy rather than the original manufacturer — not FDA-approved as a standalone product.
Step therapy — A rule requiring you to try lower-cost options before a plan covers another.
Formulary — The list of medications your plan covers, organized into cost tiers.
Prior authorization — Approval your insurer requires before it will cover a medication.