Gray market crackdown ?

Foggy-Hollow said:
The US government has theoretically bottomless pockets and lost the war on drugs. And grey already has built in friction - although if TT drivel can get I wouldn’t mind a bit more.
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It's not the government that I'd be worried about when it comes to this endeavor.
 
derekd419 said:
I just grabbed some & got an email saying its out of stock and is going to take 24+ days to arrive when the page said 4-6 days
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Unfortunately, that's to be expected when buying from Chinese vendors. Especially for something popular like reta, you need to basically ask the vendor in real-time before placing an order to have a hope for in-stock shipping from a US warehouse (if they have one).

On the positive side, it's a good sign they were out-of-stock since it shows people like the product.
 
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derekd419 said:
I just grabbed some & got an email saying its out of stock and is going to take 24+ days to arrive when the page said 4-6 days
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I had the same happen on a good sized order a while back. He said 2-3 weeks, and It actually came in pretty quick. Mine was R30. He must have finally sold out of that R60 from 12/27/25.
 
Foggy-Hollow said:
I’m not worried about sourcing, I’m more worried about pee tests for work (not worried).
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Outside of niche sports competitions or perhaps the military, I can't think of any other organization or employer that would even attempt to pee test for Peptides or AAS. Maybe government jobs? I wouldn't know lol. I stay away from the gov and gov jobs as much as possible. I'm allergic to authority figures.
 
krsct said:
There have been a number of posts here recently linking to articles talking about a crackdown on the grey market. US border patrol seizures, DOJ actions and lawsuits from big Pharma. I’m no expert but my feeling is that they will always be available. So long as there is a market of people wanting it there will be companies willing to take the risk. if they bust a shipment or a domestic reseller, others will pop up in their place. Hundreds of millions, if not billions of dollars are involved. If fentanyl can get through then so can a GLP-1 peptide.
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I have to fly international with a boat load of peps in my suitcase in a couple months. Getting a bit concerned my peps might be an issue.
 
I’m just going to be THAT person for a second so I apologize in advance for the soap box.

No one wants to go grey as a first option, but legitimately what are people supposed to do? GLPs are not covered by insurance for the most part unless you have diabetes. Many of us are trying to get a handle on this before it gets to that point. The vast majority of people can’t afford $1500+ a month out of pocket for a med. So seriously what are they wanting us to do? I really dislike that this is the position I’m in, especially because I work in healthcare, have insurance, and understand this is somewhat risky. However, I think the long term risk of being overweight probably outweigh the risk of going grey.
 
Especially with the testing you can do to make sure the product is good.

Big Pharma greed is unbelievable and I'm not surprised people go grey. Recently Lilly introduced new KwikPen with exactly 4 doses of Mounjaro - earlier there was extra liquid in the pen that was essentially a 5th dose to extract. Imagine, the cost of manufacturing is cents/mg for them and still they want to squeeze people.

Like anything else, grey will always exist. It might be just a bit harder to source products and prices might go up but it won't be eliminated.
 
UghItsStupidNIHateIT said:
No one wants to go grey as a first option, but legitimately what are people supposed to do?
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I've actually enjoyed it. In my case, there's been a vendor who I pay and they take care of everything. I also have two US based vendors I use. I know it al comes from CN.
 
BNLFL said:
I've actually enjoyed it. In my case, there's been a vendor who I pay and they take care of everything. I also have two US based vendors I use. I know it al comes from CN.
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That’s awesome, and I’m genuinely happy for you. But be honest, if you could get the same product from your doctor for $4 a month like many prescriptions wouldn’t you?
 
A lot of single vial suppliers here in the UK have stopped selling Reta recently. I’ve noticed that anywhere that does has also stopped taking Stripe payments. I think some Eli Lilly letters have been making their way to UK suppliers from what I’ve heard?
 
j_nebulism said:
A lot of single vial suppliers here in the UK have stopped selling Reta recently. I’ve noticed that anywhere that does has also stopped taking Stripe payments. I think some Eli Lilly letters have been making their way to UK suppliers from what I’ve heard?
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Reta is just harder to keep in stock. So may be hard to tell. But supply is likely the biggest issue with the recent shipping slowdown.

Some of the domestic vendors I buy from are still out-of-stock on reta kits and singles.

Regarding Stripe, it's still a miracle to me that some vendors here use it.
 
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UghItsStupidNIHateIT said:
I’m just going to be THAT person for a second so I apologize in advance for the soap box.

No one wants to go grey as a first option, but legitimately what are people supposed to do? GLPs are not covered by insurance for the most part unless you have diabetes. Many of us are trying to get a handle on this before it gets to that point. The vast majority of people can’t afford $1500+ a month out of pocket for a med. So seriously what are they wanting us to do? I really dislike that this is the position I’m in, especially because I work in healthcare, have insurance, and understand this is somewhat risky. However, I think the long term risk of being overweight probably outweigh the risk of going grey.
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Let’s start with the fact neither Wegovy or Zepbound are “$1500+ a month”. You’re grossly exaggerating the most expensive self pay option by 300%+. You’re clearly not paying attention. By next year the most expensive self pay option will be even less, at $249 (for the highest doses), and in a few months Medicare will soon cover it so everyone 62+ will have easy access.

I don’t know about you, but I spend at least $200-300 less in food a month since starting GLPs.

It’s also not “just for diabetes”. Presumably working in healthcare you likely have a good health insurance coverage, so did you ever actually check? A majority of Americans with commercial health insurance have coverage for at least one GLP if they’re at an obesity BMI (30+). And a large portion of those have coverage for overweight BMI (27+) if there’s a comorbidity like sleep apnea, high blood pressure, or knee pain. With insurance coverage and the Novo or Eli copay card, out of pocket cost is typically $25 for 3 months.

The thing is, even if the monthly cash self pay price for pharma GLPs was $50, if Chinese grey market sellers are offering it at $10 a month, many will go that route because they want to, not because they “have to”. It’s because it’s easier, no doctor required, or they’re not overweight and are using it for cosmetic reasons, or because some people will always choose the cheapest option, legal or not, even if there’s a potential health risk.
 
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GLiPtest said:
I don’t know about you, but I spend at least $200-300 less in food a month since starting GLPs.
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Easily, and that doesn't included the alcohol we don't drink out or at home. I get zero issues on all the supplies I buy. Although, I don't think she's seen the new huge storage case I bought.
 
BNLFL said:
Easily, and that doesn't included the alcohol we don't drink out or at home. I get zero issues on all the supplies I buy. Although, I don't think she's seen the new huge storage case I bought.
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I was an “early adopter” of GLPs for weight loss, and years ago, before there was discussion about the anti addiction properties of these meds, I knew a woman who would never leave home without her THC vape. After starting Semaglutide, she told me she noticed she had been forgetting it, and eventually, looked at the thing and was shocked to realize she just “lost interest” in it.

Since then, and hearing a million other anecdotes like that, I’ve come to see GLPs as “anti consumption” drugs. A satisfying life just seems to get cheaper once you’re on a GLP.
 
GLiPtest said:
Since then, and hearing a million other anecdotes like that, I’ve come to see GLPs as “anti consumption” drugs.
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I'm starting to see this is really spot on for many things. I'll be interesting to see future testing and trials on this.
 
GLiPtest said:
Let’s start with the fact neither Wegovy or Zepbound are “$1500+ a month”. You’re grossly exaggerating the most expensive self pay option by 300%+. You’re clearly not paying attention. By next year the most expensive self pay option will be even less, at $249 (for the highest doses), and in a few months Medicare will soon cover it so everyone 62+ will have easy access.

I don’t know about you, but I spend at least $200-300 less in food a month since starting GLPs.

It’s also not “just for diabetes”. Presumably working in healthcare you likely have a good health insurance coverage, so did you ever actually check? A majority of Americans with commercial health insurance have coverage for at least one GLP if they’re at an obesity BMI (30+). And a large portion of those have coverage for overweight BMI (27+) if there’s a comorbidity like sleep apnea, high blood pressure, or knee pain. With insurance coverage and the Novo or Eli copay card, out of pocket cost is typically $25 for 3 months.

The thing is, even if the monthly cash self pay price for pharma GLPs was $50, if Chinese grey market sellers are offering it at $10 a month, many will go that route because they want to, not because they “have to”. It’s because it’s easier, no doctor required, or they’re not overweight and are using it for cosmetic reasons, or because some people will always choose the cheapest option, legal or not, even if there’s a potential health risk.
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I did check. I was quoted $1497 by the pharmacy even with my “good health insurance” because I do not have any comorbidities. I was class III obese when I started but because my bloodwork was perfect I couldn’t get my insurance to cover a dime or even give me a discount. I’m thankful that apparently not everyone has had the same experience.
 
UghItsStupidNIHateIT said:
I did check. I was quoted $1497 by the pharmacy even with my “good health insurance” because I do not have any comorbidities. I was class III obese when I started but because my bloodwork was perfect I couldn’t get my insurance to cover a dime or even give me a discount. I’m thankful that apparently not everyone has had the same experience.
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Are you aware of Lilly Direct?
 
staffn1 said:
Are you aware of Lilly Direct?
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I don't have Lily Direct money either. My commercial insurance first approved it in 2020, but then a shortage happened, when that resolved, they denied it. I appealed, appealed, appealed. No, no, no, even though I had the approval letter in my hand. I had to call the state insurance department and report them (thank you ProPublica) to get them to honor it. And at that 6 month mark? CUT OFF.

Just like the person you were talking to, I have no comorbidities, I was just grossly morbidly obese. No diabetes, no sleep apnea, etc. Even with the savings card, even with Lily Direct, I don't have that kind of money lying around for indefinite use.
 
Calm Logic said:
Reta is just harder to keep in stock. So may be hard to tell. But supply is likely the biggest issue with the recent shipping slowdown.

Some of the domestic vendors I buy from are still out-of-stock on reta kits and singles.

Regarding Stripe, it's still a miracle to me that some vendors here use it.
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Some are definitely out of stock due to popularity, but quite a few have removed it from their sites altogether. I’ve noticed this on a few more established UK vendors.
 
fetefille said:
I don't have Lily Direct money either. My commercial insurance first approved it in 2020, but then a shortage happened, when that resolved, they denied it. I appealed, appealed, appealed. No, no, no, even though I had the approval letter in my hand. I had to call the state insurance department and report them (thank you ProPublica) to get them to honor it. And at that 6 month mark? CUT OFF.

Just like the person you were talking to, I have no comorbidities, I was just grossly morbidly obese. No diabetes, no sleep apnea, etc. Even with the savings card, even with Lily Direct, I don't have that kind of money lying around for indefinite use.
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Dude I feel this in my soul. Insurance is a nightmare, and I say that as someone who works in healthcare. I have had so many issues like the one you’re describing where I have proof that something was approved by the insurance company in my literal actual hand only for them to come back later and recoup. It’s terrible.
 
Over a year ago when I started, my insurance covered Zep (tirz) 100%. It was fantastic. Recently, they just dropped it completely and said there were better options. I didn't want to change back to S, so I went full pay with Lilly direct. $450/month for 4 vials of 15. That's $7.50/mg. When you realize they're making upwards of $20/mg you realize what a joke it is.
 
thebonus said:
$450/month for 4 vials of 15. That's $7.50/mg.
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And Eli Lilly isn't the only one marking up. Grey-market elora is $3.50 a mg ($350 from Uther for 10-mg kit). Elora is harder to make and test, but grey tirz is about one-tenth the price.
 
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Calm Logic said:
And Eli Lilly isn't the only one marking up. Grey-market elora is $3.50 a mg ($350 from Uther for 10-mg kit). Elora is harder to make and test, but grey tirz is about one-tenth the price.
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What does that stuff do?
 
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Calm Logic said:
And Eli Lilly isn't the only one marking up. Grey-market elora is $3.50 a mg ($350 from Uther for 10-mg kit). Elora is harder to make and test, but grey tirz is about one-tenth the price.
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Only 1 vendor is making eloralintide do far, so that makes sense. R30 for 300 last year wasn't unheard of, and T30 for 300 2-3 years ago was the norm.
 
UghItsStupidNIHateIT said:
Dude I feel this in my soul. Insurance is a nightmare, and I say that as someone who works in healthcare. I have had so many issues like the one you’re describing where I have proof that something was approved by the insurance company in my literal actual hand only for them to come back later and recoup. It’s terrible.
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Yeah, and I have to pay insurance totally out of pocket for my family. And I have stuff like acne medicine rejected for my daughter. And even if they do pay, some times it is like 2/3 of the price of a brand name. So it isn’t just GLP. Now here is the crazy thing, one can get prescription stuff from other countries in the mail often cheaper than buying through insurance in the US. It’s all very pathetic.
 
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