Rising Crime in Brazil Targets Vital Weight-loss Medications

In Brazil, weight-loss medications such as Ozempic are becoming prime targets for thieves amid rising crime, obesity, and economic disparity. Pharmacies are ramping up security in response to these alarming trends.

In January 2025, a São Paulo pharmacist, David Fernando, faced a harrowing reality when a man brandished a gun and demanded cash and medications from the refrigerator. This crime, part of a disturbing new trend, illustrates the increasing risk associated with the theft of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda. These injectable medications, highly sought after among the population due to pervasive body image issues, are often priced between 700 to 1,100 Brazilian reais (approximately $120 to $190). Given that the average monthly income in Brazil hovers around $300, many individuals are unable to afford these treatments, leading to desperate measures.

Fernando's pharmacy had already been targeted for these specific drugs twice in late 2024, prompting the installation of a security guard outside to safeguard against further incidents. Just a few blocks away, another pharmacy heightened its security after a police officer intervened during an attempted theft of Ozempic, leading to a shootout that resulted in injury to an innocent bystander.

The rising demand for these medications, associated with significant weight loss benefits, collides with a broader context of growing obesity rates in Brazil. The societal pressure to conform to an ideal body image exacerbates the situation, creating a dangerous mix of desperation among consumers and opportunism among criminals. As pharmacies scramble to protect these valuable medications, the dilemma underscores the socioeconomic divides that fuel both the desire for weight-loss solutions and the criminal activities that exploit them.