Actin vs Cost Plus Drugs
An in-depth comparison of two leading GLP-1 Providers
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Actin
Best for affordable compounded semaglutide with B12 enhancementStarting at $133/mo
Cost Plus Drugs
Best for the cheapest transparent-pricing brand-name Ozempic channelStarting at $279/mo
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Actin | Cost Plus Drugs |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 7.0/10 | ✓8.5/10 |
| Starting Price | ✓$133/mo | $279/mo |
| Editorial Rating | 3.5 ★ /5 | ✓4.3 ★ /5 |
| Features | 2 features | ✓5 features |
| States Available | 0 | ✓50 |
| Compounded | ✓ Yes | — |
| Brand Name | — | ✓ Yes |
| FSA/HSA Accepted | — | — |
| FDA Warnings | None | None |
Pros & Cons
Actin
Pros
- ✓Semaglutide + B12 combination for added energy support
- ✓Transparent pricing — exact cost shown upfront with no hidden fees
- ✓Competitive starting price from $133
Cons
- ✗Semaglutide only — no tirzepatide or liraglutide
- ✗No visible LegitScript or PCAB accreditation
- ✗State availability not disclosed
- ✗Broader platform (hormones, sexual wellness, hair health)
Cost Plus Drugs
Pros
- ✓Transparent pricing formula: wholesale acquisition cost + 15% markup + $5 pharmacy fee — publicly disclosed and the same for everyone (no insurance gatekeeping, no negotiated PBM rebate games)
- ✓~$279/month for branded Ozempic is meaningfully below retail pharmacy list prices for the same FDA-approved manufacturer product
- ✓Mark Cuban's PBM-disrupting platform has earned editorial credibility from Forbes Health, Wired, and KFF Health News for its pricing transparency
- ✓Ships to all 50 states; same FDA-approved Novo Nordisk Ozempic, no compounded reformulation
- ✓Partnered with 9amHealth for telehealth prescribing — you can get the prescription separately and pay Cost Plus pricing for fulfillment
Cons
- ✗Pharmacy fulfillment only — no telehealth intake, no prescribing clinicians on staff. You need a valid Ozempic prescription from an external clinician (PCP, endocrinologist, or telehealth provider) before Cost Plus can fill it
- ✗Ozempic is FDA-indicated for type 2 diabetes, not chronic weight management — your prescribing clinician's documentation matters for off-label weight-loss use
- ✗Wegovy availability through Cost Plus has historically been spotty — verify current Wegovy SKU status before assuming it ships
- ✗No compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide — brand-only model
- ✗No clinical follow-up included — fulfillment-only model means side-effect monitoring is on your prescribing clinician
Our Verdict
Cost Plus Drugs edges out Actin with a higher overall score of 8.5/10 and is particularly strong for the cheapest transparent-pricing brand-name Ozempic channel. Actin remains a solid alternative, especially if you're looking for affordable compounded semaglutide with B12 enhancement.
Glossary references
Key terms in this article, linked to their canonical definitions.
- Semaglutide · Drugs and brands
- Tirzepatide · Drugs and brands
- Compounded GLP-1 · Pharmacy and drug forms
- 503A pharmacy · Pharmacy and drug forms
- PCAB accreditation · Pharmacy and drug forms
- Prior authorization (PA) · Insurance and regulatory
- Off-label use · Insurance and regulatory
- FDA Drug Shortage List · Insurance and regulatory
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