Choose a source that addresses the question you are trying to resolve. A board record, a drug approval and an insurance rule each tell you something different.
Where can I check a doctor or pharmacy?
- Medical board directory
State records can be reached through links provided by the Federation of State Medical Boards. Those records tell you if a licence is still current and list any board action taken because the doctor broke its rules. They do not rate the care.
- FDA’s state pharmacy search links
Choose your state to search the pharmacy board’s licence records. A listed licence cannot tell you whether every medicine was made correctly or the right medicine was given to the patient.
Where can I understand approval and compounding?
- FDA: understanding approval
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explains why putting a business or medicine on its records does not mean it has approved that business or medicine.
- FDA: compounding questions and answers
Explains medicine made to order and its role when an approved product cannot meet a medical need.
- FDA: the drug shortage policy notes
Explains when drug shortages allowed pharmacies to make copies, and why that permission ends.
Where can I understand an online visit?
- Medical boards: online care policy
Advice for state medical boards about checking your health, arranging tests and seeing you again. Each state sets its own legal rules.
- Medical boards: prescribing guidance
Explains why choosing a medicine from a list without a doctor checking your health is not proper care. It also says patients need a route for asking questions later. Each state sets its own legal rules.
Where can I check the Medicare programme?
- Medicare: temporary help with weight-loss medicine costs
Some Medicare members can get temporary help paying for weight-loss medicine through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. CMS, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, explains it. This is the government agency that runs Medicare. Ask your doctor to check whether you qualify before counting on its advertised price.
- CMS: rules for clinicians
This page lists who can get help and which medicines the programme includes. Ask your doctor to check the details with you.
Where can I check symptoms or sports rules?
- MedlinePlus: severe allergic reactions
Anaphylaxis means a severe allergic reaction. This page explains severe symptoms and the need for emergency care.
- WADA: the sports prohibited list
WADA is the World Anti-Doping Agency. This is the list in force in September 2026, before the replacement takes effect in January 2027.
- USADA: permission to use a banned medicine for an illness
USADA is the US Anti-Doping Agency, which handles rules about banned substances in sport. It explains how an athlete can ask for permission to use a banned medicine for an illness. A prescription alone does not give that permission.
Plain word notes
- Telehealth
Care that takes place by video, phone or an online form.
- Compounding
A medicine prepared to order for an individual patient.