Brazil weight loss pen seizures surge 20-fold to R$ 80 million

The value of seized weight loss pens by the Brazilian Federal Revenue has increased more than 20-fold, rising from R$ 4 million in the first half of 2025 to over R$ 80 million in the first half of 2026. This surge is driven by the illegal entry of medications into Brazil that lack authorization from Anvisa, the national health regulatory agency.

Authorities noted a significant increase in the irregular supply of these products through online marketplaces and unauthorized sellers. A major factor in the smuggling is the price discrepancy between countries; while prices in Brazil can reach R$ 4,000, similar products in Paraguay are often found for between R$ 700 and R$ 1,000. In Foz do Iguaçu, seizures rose by over 860% compared to the previous year.

In response, Brazil and Paraguay have strengthened cooperation to combat the illegal circulation of these drugs. Anvisa and the Paraguayan sanitary authority, Dinavisa, have signed an agreement to exchange information, share laboratory test results, and support inspection actions at border regions to fight counterfeiting and smuggling. Meanwhile, the legal market is expanding, with Anvisa recently approving five new semaglutide-based products and granting the first registrations for generic versions.