The Ethics of Pharmaceutical Pricing and Access

In this episode, I’m joined by Shaun Noorian—engineer, entrepreneur, and CEO of Empower Pharmacy, the largest compounding pharmacy in the world. With compounded GLP-1s making headlines and lawsuits from Big Pharma intensifying, Shaun joins me to pull back the curtain on the regulatory, financial, and ethical storm brewing behind the scenes.

Are compounded GLP-1s legal? Safe? Who controls drug pricing in the U.S., and why are Americans paying 10x more than Europeans for the same medication? And most importantly—what does all this mean for access, affordability, and patient care?

This episode is a wake-up call. If you care about transparency in medicine, patient rights, or access to life-saving medications, don’t miss this one.

We cover:

• Why compounded GLP-1s are under attack—and what the FDA’s recent moves really means
• How Big Pharma sets drug prices—and why Americans pay up to 10x more than other countries
• The legal battle over semaglutide, regulatory capture, and the influence of pharmaceutical lobbying
• How compounding pharmacies offer personalized care and expand access to life-saving medications
• What’s next for patients, clinicians, and the future of affordable medicine in the U.S.

Who is Shaun Noorian?

Shaun Noorian is the founder and CEO of Empower Pharmacy, the largest compounding pharmacy and 503B outsourcing facility in the United States. A fierce advocate for patient access and affordable care, Shaun has become a leading voice on the role of compounding in medicine and the urgent need for reform in pharmaceutical pricing and regulation.

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Find Shaun Noorian at:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-noorian
• X(Twitter) - http://x.com/shaunnoorian
• Empower Pharmacy - https://www.empowerpharmacy.com/

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Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Why compounded GLP-1s are in the crosshairs

03:45 – Drug shortages, compounding access, and the rise of semaglutide

08:30 – Why patients flock to compounded medications (and who’s trying to stop it)

12:10 – Eli Lilly lawsuit and Big Pharma’s monopoly playbook

17:05 – Price fixing, international pricing gaps, and the $500/month illusion

21:40 – Regulatory capture: How the FDA, pharma, and lobbying intertwine

26:30 – What compounding pharmacies actually do—and why safety concerns are overblown

30:15 – The April Fool’s FDA warning letters: coincidence or coordinated attack?

35:50 – Can personalized medicine really be considered “dangerous”?

41:00 – What the media gets wrong—and how pharma shapes the narrative

47:00 – Are compounded GLP-1s banned? Sorting fact from fiction

53:25 – What’s next: state-level restrictions, 503B regulations, and the future of patient care

Disclaimer:

The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Podcast and YouTube are for general information purposes only and do not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast, YouTube, or materials linked from this podcast or YouTube is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professional for any such conditions.