How do I check the source behind a claim?

Is the source about the same thing?

Compare the medicine name, its form (shot or tablet), and its intended use with the source. Ask the clinician to show where the source answers your question. A link is a starting point, not an explanation by itself.

Useful questions are simple: who wrote this, when was it checked, and does it discuss people like me? Ask for a plain answer before reading more.

Does a report of harm prove the medicine caused it?

A report of harm describes a problem during medicine use. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the report alone cannot show that the medicine was the cause.

A pile of reports is not a count of everyone who took the medicine. Without that total, it cannot tell you what share of users had the problem.

Ask what the reports show and what other evidence is needed. A reported problem still deserves attention even when its cause is unclear.

Does an advisory vote change the rule?

As of September 26, 2026, a vote by FDA’s panel of advisers is advice. It does not change the rules or the official list of extra raw ingredients allowed for made-to-order medicines.

That list is one way an ingredient can qualify for pharmacy compounding; other legal tests also apply.

If a headline says a rule changed, ask to see the final rule published by FDA. A proposal or committee discussion is an earlier step.

What can an FDA letter tell me?

FDA warning letters describe concerns at the time they are sent. Later exchanges between the company and FDA can affect whether those concerns remain current.

A letter is not a final ruling, and a company without a letter has not necessarily been cleared.

On FDA’s warning-letter page, you can search by company name and look for a response or closeout letter, which records FDA closing the matter.

Ask the clinician to explain the most recent document about that concern. Do not assume an old letter proves the problem still exists, or that a company with no letter has been checked.