Dominican Republic: High costs of weight-loss drugs drive black market risks

In the Dominican Republic, the high cost of GLP-1 peptide injections, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, is creating significant public health risks. Endocrinologist Jacqueline Díaz notes that access to these weight-loss treatments is heavily dependent on a patient's purchasing power, as insurance coverage is often unavailable.

Monthly costs for liraglutide treatments are reported to be around 17,000 to 18,000 pesos, while semaglutide costs between 16,000 and 17,000 pesos. While the obesity-specific version, Wegovy, has recently entered the market at a more accessible price of approximately 4,500 pesos, the overall expense remains a barrier for many, potentially driving individuals toward dangerous black market counterfeits.