Sources

Every factual claim on this site is linked to a primary source. This page collects the full library, organized by category.

Federal regulatory actions and safety communications

FDA: Concerns with Unapproved GLP-1 Drugs

Safety alert detailing risks of compounded and unapproved semaglutide and tirzepatide products, including dosing errors, sterility failures, and unknown ingredients.

FDA MedWatch: Dosing Error Safety Alert

July 2024. Alert regarding dosing errors with compounded semaglutide products, including confusion between milligram and unit measurements leading to overdoses.

FDA Warning Letters: September 2025 Batch

55+ warning letters to companies selling compounded and unapproved GLP-1 receptor agonists. Cited marketing of unapproved new drugs and failure to register as manufacturers.

FDA Warning Letters: March 2026 Batch

Approximately 30 additional warning letters targeting telehealth companies continuing to prescribe compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide after shortage resolution.

Import Alert 66-80

FDA import alert authorizing detention without physical examination of unapproved drugs, including peptides, shipped from foreign sources.


Published studies in indexed journals

Bitar et al. — Journal of Medical Internet Research, November 2024

Peer-reviewed purity study of gray-market semaglutide and tirzepatide samples. Found actual purity as low as 7.7% (labeled 99%). Endotoxin detected in 100% of samples tested. The foundational study for this investigation.

JAPhA — Poison Control Case Series, 2023

Journal of the American Pharmacists Association. Case series documenting adverse events reported to poison control centers related to compounded and research-grade GLP-1 peptides, including dosing errors and unexpected reactions.

JAMA Ophthalmology — NAION Study, July 2024

Study investigating association between GLP-1 receptor agonist use and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Relevant to both branded and compounded formulations.


DOJ prosecutions, guilty pleas, and border seizures

DOJ: Tailor Made Compounding — Guilty Plea

Department of Justice press release. Compounding pharmacy pleaded guilty to charges related to the production and distribution of unapproved drug products, including GLP-1 peptides.

DOJ: Dr. Matthew Lewis — Ashland, KY

Federal prosecution of physician for prescribing and distributing unapproved compounded GLP-1 medications outside the bounds of legitimate medical practice.

DOJ: US v. Matthew Kawa — Paradigm Peptides

Federal criminal case against the operators of Paradigm Peptides for introducing unapproved new drugs into interstate commerce. Resulted in guilty plea.

CBP: Cincinnati Port Seizures

US Customs and Border Protection seizure reports documenting interception of undeclared peptide shipments at the Cincinnati international mail facility, a primary entry point for Chinese-origin research chemicals.


Reporting from national and regional outlets

CNBC / NBC News — “Ozempic Underworld”

Multi-part investigative series documenting the gray-market GLP-1 supply chain, from Chinese API manufacturers to US consumers. Includes undercover purchases and lab testing.

SF Standard — “Chinese Peptide Dealer”

Investigation into a Bay Area-based peptide reseller sourcing directly from Chinese manufacturers, detailing the import pipeline, pricing structure, and customer base.

STAT News

Ongoing coverage of GLP-1 regulatory landscape, compounding pharmacy litigation, and FDA enforcement actions. STAT’s pharma reporting team has provided some of the earliest and most detailed coverage of the compounding controversy.

NPR, CNN, Futurism, WBUR

Additional reporting on GLP-1 safety, pricing, and the compounding pharmacy debate. Cross-referenced against primary source documents where cited in our investigations.


Independent monitoring and analytical services

Partnership for Safe Medicines

Non-profit organization tracking counterfeit and substandard drug distribution. Published data on customs interception rates for illegal peptide imports, including the 82% evasion rate cited in our reporting.

NABP RogueRx Report

National Association of Boards of Pharmacy annual report on rogue online pharmacies. Tracks the scope of illegal online drug sales and identifies common tactics used by unlicensed sellers.

Finnrick Analytics

Independent analytical testing service that has published data on gray-market peptide purity, identifying discrepancies between vendor-claimed and actual purity levels.

Janoshik Analytical

Third-party analytical laboratory frequently used by the research chemical community for independent purity testing. Results from Janoshik have been cited in both community forums and peer-reviewed research.

About this source library

This page lists the primary categories of sources used across Know Your Vial. Individual investigations and evidence pages link directly to specific sources inline. If you identify a factual error or a source that has been updated, retracted, or corrected, we want to know. Accuracy is the only currency investigative journalism has.