FTC finalizes order against telehealth seller NextMed over GLP-1 weight-loss ads

The Federal Trade Commission has given final approval to an order against telemedicine company NextMed and its principals, requiring them to stop deceptively advertising weight-loss programs and to pay $150,000, which the agency expects to be used to provide refunds to consumers ^[1].

The Commission voted 2-0 to approve the final consent order on December 3, 2025, after a public comment period ^[1]. The case resolves charges the FTC filed in July 2025 against Southern Health Solutions, Inc., which does business as Next Medical and NextMed, and against Robert Epstein and Frank Leonardo ^[1][2].

What the FTC alleged

According to the FTC's July 2025 complaint, the company and its principals exploited the rising interest in prescription GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Ozempic ^[1]. The agency alleged they sold weight-loss programs with undisclosed costs and membership commitments, made unsubstantiated claims about the weight loss their clients achieved, used fake testimonials and unfairly distorted consumer reviews ^[1].

The complaint also alleged the firm and its principals failed to process cancellation and refund requests in a timely manner and did not obtain express informed consent before charging consumers or making recurring debits ^[1].

The order applies to NextMed, Epstein and Leonardo. It prohibits them from misrepresenting the cost of telehealth services; requires competent and reliable evidence to support claims about the average or typical results users will achieve; and bars misrepresentations that reviews are truthful or come from real consumers ^[1]. It also requires them to disclose any unexpected material connection with endorsers or reviewers and prohibits manipulation of reviews ^[1].

On billing, the order requires informed consent before billing consumers and authorization before using any electronic fund transfer ^[1]. It also requires the company to clearly disclose important refund and cancellation terms before consumers are asked to pay, provide a simple way to request cancellations or refunds, and promptly honor requests that comply with the policies in effect at the time of purchase ^[1].

The FTC's case page lists the matter as pending as of December 3, 2025 ^[2].

Why it matters for patients

GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide (sold as Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) are prescription drugs, and a growing share of patients encounter them through telehealth and membership-style programs rather than a local clinic. This case shows how a federal agency evaluates the marketing claims those programs make.

The order is specific to one company and its two principals. It does not set rules for the telehealth or GLP-1 industry as a whole, and it does not change how any medication is prescribed, covered by insurance or dispensed. What it does establish is the standard the FTC says sellers must meet: evidence for typical-results claims, no fabricated reviews, clear disclosure of costs, and consent before recurring charges ^[1].

For anyone paying for a GLP-1 program, the order highlights the terms that drew the agency's attention, including membership commitments that were not disclosed up front and cancellation or refund requests that were not processed in time ^[1].

Several things are not yet known from the public record: how many consumers will receive refunds, how the $150,000 will be divided, and when payments would go out. The FTC did not state in its announcement that NextMed or its principals admitted or denied the allegations.

What happens next

The final order is now in effect and its conduct requirements apply to NextMed, Epstein and Leonardo ^[1]. The FTC said the $150,000 payment is expected to fund consumer refunds, but no distribution schedule has been disclosed ^[1][2]. The case remains listed as pending ^[2]. The FTC directs consumers who believe they have been misled by a marketer to report fraud through its online reporting tool ^[1].