The FDA Is Now Reviewing Generic Tirzepatide. Here's What It Changes — and What It Doesn't.

On June 29, the FDA accepted the first applications for a generic version of the drug behind Mounjaro and Zepbound — a real shot at $200-to-$400 medication instead of four figures. It's the most hopeful pricing news this drug has had. It's also a great moment to get clear on three words that are about to get thrown around a lot.

Generic, brand, and compounded are not the same thing — and only two come with the label the FDA checked. Here's the difference, why “accepted for review” isn't “on the shelf,” and why the gap between the two is exactly where bad actors set up shop.