FDA warning letters and public safety communications are useful starting points for reviewing product descriptions and advertising. A payment provider will make a separate decision about the actual business, products and sales channels. A research-use label alone should not be treated as proof of legal status or processor acceptance.
What the FDA has publicly identified
In March 2026, FDA announced 30 warning letters to telehealth companies concerning false or misleading claims about compounded GLP-1 products. The agency identified claims implying equivalence with FDA-approved drugs and unclear product sourcing among the issues. FDA also explains that compounded drugs are not FDA-approved and do not undergo the agency’s premarket review for safety, effectiveness and quality.
That announcement concerns the conduct and recipients identified by FDA; it does not establish that every peptide business, compounded product or research supplier has the same issue. Review current agency communications, the actual products and applicable requirements with qualified counsel.
Map claims to the complete customer journey
- Inventory products, ingredient and supplier information, labels, product pages and checkout statements.
- Review advertising, affiliate materials and customer-facing claims for consistency with the actual product and supported intended use.
- Document how customer questions, complaints and product changes are reviewed and escalated.
- Keep available sourcing, testing and other records relevant to the exact business.
Prepare a clear payment-provider application
Explain the complete catalog, sales channels, customer types, markets, fulfillment, billing practices and processing history. Tell the provider if your website or products change after an application. Ask for the permitted scope and restrictions in writing, and distinguish provider eligibility from regulatory compliance.
Review the proposed processing agreement
Compare fees, reserves, holds, limits, funding, dispute handling and termination terms. If a second provider or payment method is considered, obtain its own approval for the exact business first. Neither an application nor a backup account guarantees continuity.