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Patient Safety:  Why Individual Prescriptions and Patient-Labeled Vials Matter with Semaglutide and Tirzepatide

We are always happy when patients from other locations decide to join our clinic. The reasons vary but what we hear most often is that the patient was looking for a more professional environment or an actual medical clinic and found or were referred to us.


A common theme we hear from patients about previous locations is that they  rarely (if ever) were given an actual prescribed vial of medication. Most often, they were given a prefilled set of syringes (if they took it home) or if they received injections in clinic, it again was always prefilled.  Some clinics even tell patients they don’t need to worry about keeping the syringes in the fridge (yikes!)


We would be cautious receiving medication in this fashion and would recommend understanding the proper way of doing it, including knowing your rights within WA State on Transparency when it comes to prescribed medication.


How We’re Different

When it comes to your health and safety, details matter—especially with medications like compounded Semaglutide and Tirzepatide. At our clinic, every patient receives a medication vial prepared specifically for them, with their name clearly printed on the pharmacy label. This is not just a matter of convenience; it’s a critical difference that sets us apart from many other MedSpas and clinics in the region.

  • Individual Prescriptions: Each patient at our clinic is evaluated and prescribed medication based on their unique needs. The pharmacy compounds and dispenses a vial with your name on it, ensuring it is tailored for you and meets all state and federal standards.

  • Personalized Labeling: Washington State law requires that every dispensed prescription container must have a label with the patient’s name, the medication, prescribing provider, pharmacy details, and expiration date. This means you have the right to see—and should expect—a vial with your name on it.

  • Safety and Quality: Shared vials or bulk medication pulled for multiple patients, as sometimes practiced elsewhere, can risk contamination, improper dosing, and the use of expired medication. Using a medication past its expiration date may reduce its effectiveness or, in rare cases, pose health risks. Liquid medications, like those used in injections, are particularly sensitive to degradation and contamination after expiration. If you are given medication from a shared vial, you have the right to see the vial, and ask to see the prescription it was written to the clinic on. 


Your Right to Transparency

Patients in Washington have the right to access their health care information, including details about their prescriptions and medication labeling. At our clinic, you can always request to see your individual vial (for those who keep their vials in clinic), ensuring peace of mind that your medication is safe, fresh, and prepared just for you.


Choose Safety. Choose Individualized Care.

Don’t settle for shortcuts when it comes to your health. Insist on individualized prescriptions and labeled vials—your safety depends on it. That’s the standard we uphold every day.


We shared a few weeks ago that we obtained LegitScript Certification and proper handling, labeling, and dispensing of medication is a big part of their audit and examination process for the clinic.


There are times when cheaper is that way for a reason – stay focused on being safe on your health journey!


Best regards,

Daryl, Jennifer, and the entire staff.


Pacific Northwest Medical Group

6622 112th ST E, Puyallup WA 98373

253-340-2270

 

 



 
 
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