Weight-Loss Drug Heist: Ozempic Targeted in São Paulo Pharmacy Robbery

On a recent Friday night in late January, David Fernando, a pharmacist in São Paulo, Brazil, encountered a terrifying incident while working at a drugstore. A man approached him, brandishing a gun, and demanded money from the register as well as medications from the refrigerator.

Pharmacy Robbery in São Paulo: A Growing Concern

In São Paulo, a city where body image is highly valued and obesity rates are rising, pharmacists are well aware of the medications thieves are after. The most sought-after items are Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda, the popular injectable weight-loss drugs. These medications are highly coveted, but their high prices make them unaffordable for many Brazilians.

During the robbery, the thief made off with five boxes of the injectable weight-loss drugs, each costing between 700 to 1,100 Brazilian reais (approximately $120 to $190). This is a significant amount, especially considering that the average monthly income in Brazil is about $300.