Is compounded semaglutide legal in Australia?
No. Since 1 October 2024, pharmacists in Australia may not compound semaglutide, tirzepatide or any other GLP-1 medicine, in any dosage form. The TGA changed the rules after compounding grew to a bulk scale. A compounded GLP-1 offered now is unlawful, and nobody has checked what is in it.
What exactly did the ban change?
Pharmacists can no longer compound GLP‑1 medicines and supply them to patients, in any dosage form, if compounded on or after 1 October 2024.1
The change was made by amending the Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1990. It applies to all medicines containing GLP‑1 analogues, which covers semaglutide and tirzepatide.1 Ahpra linked the ban to “bulk-scale manufacturing”.2 The TGA encouraged people on compounded products to speak to their GP about alternatives.1 It had consulted in February 2024 on removing GLP‑1 medicines from the pharmacist compounding exemption, to reduce safety risks.1
Why are compounded versions a risk?
Compounded products aren't the same as registered medicines, and they haven't been evaluated for safety, quality and efficacy, the TGA says.3
Supplying a compounded medicine without a prescription is illegal.3 Compounded products can have a different strength or different ingredients. Compounding on a large scale adds risk, especially for injections, and the TGA warns that some online clinics may be run by organised crime groups.3 It is also illegal to import Ozempic-like products without a valid prescription, even for personal use.3
What about “peptide” vials sold online?
They carry the same unknowns: in 2026 a vial sold as retatrutide held about 8 times the semaglutide level of registered products, and the user was hospitalised.4
With injected products, the TGA warns that non-sterile manufacturing can raise the risk of infection and of harmful immune reactions, including anaphylaxis.4 Counterfeit products can't be imported under the Personal Importation Scheme.5 If you've used one and feel unwell, see When should I call 000 on a GLP‑1? and How do I report a side effect to the TGA?
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Related questions
Sources
- TGA. Update on the GLP-1 RA pharmacy compounding changes. Media release, 18 Jun 2024. tga.gov.au
- Ahpra and National Boards. Joint statement on prescribing and dispensing, 3 Jun 2024. ahpra.gov.au
- TGA. What you need to know about compounded weight-loss medicines. Blog, 3 Jun 2024. tga.gov.au
- TGA. TGA tests counterfeit retatrutide product following serious adverse event report. Safety advisory, 14 Sep 2026. tga.gov.au
- TGA. Counterfeit weight loss products claiming to contain GLP-1. Safety advisory, 2 Mar 2026. tga.gov.au
Last checked 12 Oct 2026 · Next review due 12 Oct 2027 · Report an error
How this answer was made. Written by the GLP Guidebook team from the sources above, all checked on 12 Oct 2026. We don't publish medicine prices, and we don't name, rank or link to sellers or telehealth services. It's general information, not medical advice, and nothing here is an offer to supply any medicine. Talk to a GP, pharmacist or other qualified prescriber before starting, stopping or changing any medicine. How we write