PA committee grants license to telemedicine obesity clinic operator who prescribes GLP-1 drugs

The Physician Assistant Committee approved a license for an applicant who described operating a telemedicine clinic focused on obesity treatment using GLP-1 medications.

Mister Marshall told the committee his practice prescribes two main classes of medication — semaglutide and tirzepatide — and occasionally uses compounded equivalents. "We we have, 3 different, compound pharmacies. All of them are, 503A and 503 b, certified," he said, adding the pharmacies include ones in Houston and Florida.

Marshall said initial visits and most follow-ups are telemedicine and that his clinic uses a HIPAA-secure communication app called Spruce for asynchronous check-ins. "We also ask everyone to check-in with us each and every month...and we do force every 3 months just a follow-up visit with the provider regardless," he said, describing the clinic's monitoring approach.

Committee members asked how the clinic verifies outcomes beyond self-reported weight. Marshall said the clinic orders laboratory testing and obtains objective measures when possible: "we usually get labs...I'll send them...an order for, you know, lab core quest or, even if they have something local." The applicant said the clinic does not prescribe controlled substances and may occasionally prescribe antiemetics such as ondansetron for side effects.

After questions about pharmacy sourcing and safeguards, a committee member moved to grant the license and the motion carried.

The committee did not record a detailed roll-call vote in the transcript beyond members saying "Aye," and the license was issued.