Rising Trend of Pharmacy Heists in Brazil: The Hunt for Ozempic

In São Paulo, pharmacists face armed robberies as thieves seek Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs, which are highly valued yet unaffordable for many in a country battling obesity amid body image concerns.

In recent weeks, a worrying trend has emerged in Brazil where pharmacies are being increasingly targeted by criminals on the hunt for Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda, popular injectable weight-loss drugs. This escalation in pharmacy heists highlights the intersection of body image obsessions in a nation grappling with rising obesity rates and widespread economic disparities.

One such incident occurred late January in São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city. David Fernando, a pharmacist, was working when a man armed with a gun demanded both cash and medications from the store's refrigerator. For many pharmacists like Mr. Fernando, these demands have become all too familiar. “They’re after Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda,” he said, referring to the medications that are coveted but often remain out of reach financially for a large portion of the population.

The drugs, priced between 700 to 1,100 Brazilian reais (approximately $120 to $190), represent a significant expense in a country where the average monthly income is about $300. It's no surprise then, that criminals have resorted to theft to obtain these high-demand medications. In fact, at Mr. Fernando's pharmacy alone, there have been multiple robberies targeted specifically at these drugs in recent months.

Two separate incidents in late 2024 had already unnerved staff and resulted in them hiring security personnel. Just a few blocks away, another pharmacy fortified its defenses after an attempted robbery led to a violent confrontation, injuring an innocent bystander.

As society places an ever-increasing focus on weight loss and body image, the pressures can have dire consequences, as we see with the surge in pharmacy heists. The combination of high demand and low accessibility continues to fuel criminal activity, leaving both pharmacy workers and the community grappling with safety and trust issues as they navigate this troubling trend.