FTC charges telehealth company NextMed over deceptive GLP-1 weight-loss marketing

The Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order against telehealth company NextMed, requiring it to pay $150,000 and stop what the agency called deceptive marketing of GLP-1 weight-loss programs ^[1]. The money is expected to go toward refunds for consumers who signed up for the company's services ^[1][2].

The case involves Southern Health Solutions, Inc., which did business as Next Medical and NextMed, along with company principals Robert Epstein and Frank Leonardo ^[1][2]. The FTC first brought charges in July 2025, alleging the company exploited surging interest in prescription GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic to sell weight-loss membership programs ^[1]. According to the FTC's complaint, NextMed advertised undisclosed costs and membership commitments, made unsubstantiated claims about how much weight customers would lose, used fake testimonials, and manipulated online reviews ^[1].

The FTC also alleged that NextMed failed to process cancellation and refund requests in a timely manner and did not get customers' express informed consent before charging them or setting up recurring debits from their accounts ^[1]. The final order, approved after a public comment period by a 2-0 Commission vote, requires the company to obtain informed consent before billing and to disclose refund and cancellation terms clearly before asking consumers to pay ^[1]. It also bars the company from misrepresenting costs, requires solid evidence to back up any claims about typical results, and prohibits misrepresenting reviews as genuine or manipulating them ^[1].

The FTC's list of weight-loss enforcement actions shows this is part of a broader pattern of the agency policing marketing claims in the diet and weight-loss space, including past cases against sellers of dietary supplements, teas, and coffee products ^[2]. The NextMed matter is the first entry on that list to specifically name GLP-1 drugs as the product being marketed deceptively ^[2].

Why it matters for patients

For people considering GLP-1 medications through telehealth services, this case is a reminder that not all online weight-loss programs disclose their true costs or membership terms upfront ^[1]. The FTC's complaint alleged NextMed hid recurring charges and made it hard for customers to cancel or get refunds ^[1]. Patients who sign up for any telehealth weight-loss program may want to understand billing terms before providing payment information, since the order specifically requires companies to disclose refund and cancellation policies before asking for payment going forward ^[1].

The case also touches on trust in online reviews. The FTC alleged NextMed used fake reviews and testimonials to make its programs look more effective than they were ^[1]. Consumers researching GLP-1 telehealth providers may find it harder to know which reviews are genuine, since the FTC's order notes the company is now barred from misrepresenting reviews as coming from real, unpaid customers ^[1].

It is not yet known from these sources how many consumers were affected by NextMed's practices, what the average refund amount might be, or whether the $150,000 fund will fully cover consumer losses. The sources also do not specify what GLP-1 drugs NextMed prescribed or through what channels, or whether the company is still operating under a different name.

What happens next

The FTC approved the final order on December 3, 2025, following the initial complaint and settlement announced in July 2025 ^[1][2]. The order calls for NextMed and its principals to pay $150,000, which the FTC says is expected to be used for consumer refunds ^[1]. The sources do not specify a timeline for when refunds will be distributed or how affected consumers can apply for them.