Costa Rica illegal peptide drug market

In late July 2026 Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health issued a nationwide alert after detecting a surge in the illegal online sale of injectable peptide drugs used for weight loss and diabetes treatment. The warning listed compounds such as tirzepide, semaglutide and liraglutide being offered through social‑media platforms and messaging apps without sanitary registration or medical supervision, stressing risks of severe adverse reactions, contamination and toxicity.

A few days later investigations uncovered a black‑market network distributing the same injectable weight‑loss drugs. Private clinics, pharmacies and WhatsApp groups were found to split vials among multiple patients, sometimes with participation from medical professionals. Bulk‑discount promotions were advertised, and laboratory testing revealed bacterial contamination, presence of thyroid hormone, amphetamines and other unrelated substances. A Norwegian laboratory, whose brand had been misused, publicly denied any link to the vials and alerted authorities. The ministry was urged to intervene to halt the illicit trade and protect patients seeking rapid weight loss.

On 30 July 2026 the Costa Rican Association of Endocrinology joined the warning effort, stating that aesthetic clinics were offering tirzepide and other peptide treatments without qualified endocrinologists, exposing patients to unverified substances. The association’s president emphasized that aesthetic concerns must not compromise health. Simultaneously, Bogotá’s Health Secretariat issued a comparable alert, demanding that tirzepide and semaglutide be prescribed only by doctors and sourced from authorized pharmacies, and announced intensified inspections to curb counterfeit or unregistered products across the region.