[Skip to the reading](#reading) [Peptide care](/) Finding & checking care Sources # Read the records behind the checks Read for an answer, not a badge. Use the links below to look up a doctor or pharmacy, check a medicine, or understand a visit or bill. Each note explains what to look for and what the record cannot guarantee. Choose what to check LOOK. CHECK. Use the links below to check a licence, medicine or bill. On this page - [For the person treating you and pharmacy names](#people) - [For the exact product and preparation](#product) - [For the visit and payment terms](#visit) - [For a medicine problem](#problems) ## For the person treating you and pharmacy names State board records show whether a doctor or pharmacy holds a licence; they do not rank the quality of care. ### Read the record - [State medical board directory](https://www.fsmb.org/contact-a-state-medical-board/) Find your state board through the Federation of State Medical Boards’ links, then search for the doctor’s name on that board’s site. - [State pharmacy licence searches](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/besaferx-your-source-online-pharmacy-information/locate-state-licensed-online-pharmacy) Choose your state on FDA’s page, then search the pharmacy’s name. A licence does not guarantee that the medicine supplied is right for you. - [Online-pharmacy checks](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/besaferx-your-source-online-pharmacy-information/considering-online-pharmacy) FDA lists signs to examine together, including prescriptions, pharmacist access and licensing. Terms behind the care check **Public discipline** A penalty or formal charge that a licensing board makes public. Each state decides what it publishes. **FDA** FDA is short for Food and Drug Administration, the US agency that reviews drug products. ## For the exact product and preparation Compounded medicines are prepared to order; they lacked FDA approval as of September 2026. FDA had not checked each medicine’s quality, effects or safety before it was offered to patients. ### Read the record - [Compounding questions and answers](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/human-drug-compounding/compounding-and-fda-questions-and-answers) Read why a patient may need a medicine made to order and who checks the maker. These medicines are not all the same. - [What approval language means](https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/it-really-fda-approved) FDA registration means listing the maker with the agency. Under the rule recorded in September 2026, listing did not approve the maker or the medicine. - [When shortages affect medicines made to order](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-alerts-and-statements/fda-clarifies-policies-compounders-national-glp-1-supply-begins-stabilize) FDA’s national shortage list excluded semaglutide and tirzepatide as of September 26, 2026. That list affects when a maker may prepare a copy of an approved drug. - [Product concerns for weight medicines](https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-alerts-and-statements/fdas-concerns-unapproved-glp-1-drugs-used-weight-loss) Read FDA’s concerns about chemicals labelled for research and semaglutide salts, which are different ingredients from the semaglutide in approved medicines. Terms behind the care check **Premarket review** FDA’s check before a drug product is marketed; it does not review compounded products this way. ## For the visit and payment terms The Federation of State Medical Boards publishes suggestions for online care; each state sets the rules the service must follow. ### Read the record - [Telemedicine policy](https://www.fsmb.org/siteassets/advocacy/policies/fsmb-workgroup-on-telemedicineapril-2022-final.pdf) Read about checking your health, answering questions after the visit and arranging an exam or test. - [Recent prescribing guidance](https://www.fsmb.org/siteassets/advocacy/policies/guidance-on-recent-trends-in-prescribing-and-dispensing-adopted.pdf) This May 2026 guidance says picking a medicine from a menu without a proper health check is not enough. Patients should be able to ask their own questions. - [Medicare Bridge terms](https://www.cms.gov/medicare/coverage/prescription-drug-coverage/medicare-glp-1-bridge) As of September 2026, eligible people paid $50 a month for selected weight-loss medicines through a temporary Medicare program. It uses separate billing from Part D, Medicare’s usual prescription drug benefit. Terms behind the care check **Model guidance** Suggestions for state boards to use. Each state decides its own laws and rules. ## For a medicine problem FDA says its published medicine-problem reports cannot establish on their own that the medicine caused the problem. ### Read the record - [MedWatch patient reporting](https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program) FDA accepts reports from patients as well as health professionals. - [Severe allergic reactions](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000844.htm) MedlinePlus explains urgent symptoms and directs emergency action for severe symptoms. [Return to the care check](/start/) Use this guide to check care; it provides information and does not operate a clinic or sell medicine. [Full topic list](/#topics) [Text copy](/sources/index.md) [Source reading list](/sources/) - [Guide](/) - [Find](/find-care/) - [Ask](/questions/) - [Cost](/cost/) - [Sources](/sources/)