Brazil's Anvisa warns that counterfeit weight‑loss injection pens threaten heart health

Unregistered weight‑loss injection pens sold through the internet and social media in Brazil have been found to contain unknown substances and incorrect dosages. Health experts say the unpredictable composition can raise blood pressure, cause arrhythmias, and lead to heart attacks, especially in people with pre‑existing cardiovascular conditions. Cardiologist Dr. Thiago Germano stressed that the lack of medical supervision and quality control makes these devices a serious threat to public health.

The Federal District and Territories Court (TJDFT) has classified the production and sale of such falsified products as a crime against public health. Brazil's health regulator, Anvisa, has intensified inspections and, in April, prohibited the manufacturing, import, distribution, commercialization and use of any weight‑loss products without registration. Authorities advise consumers to avoid these pens, purchase only prescribed medications from authorized pharmacies, and report suspicious products to Anvisa.