In Brazil, the rising social pressure surrounding body image has led to an unsettling trend: an increase in pharmacy robberies focused on expensive weight-loss medications. Among the most sought-after are Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda—injectable drugs that have become targets for criminals, highlighting the stark contrast between societal aspirations and economic realities.
On a recent January evening in São Paulo, David Fernando, a pharmacist, experienced the terrifying reality firsthand when a gun-wielding bandit entered his store. The robber's demand was clear: money from the cash register and medications from the refrigerator, specifically asking for the weight-loss drugs that are typically kept secured in the back.
The detainee left the store with five boxes of Ozempic, each valued between 700 and 1,100 Brazilian reais (approximately $120 to $190), a hefty sum in a country where the average monthly salary hovers around $300. The demand for these medications underscores the escalating obsession with body image, all while the rates of obesity continue to rise across Brazil.
Fernando's pharmacy had already been targeted twice for the same drugs in late 2024, prompting the establishment to hire a security guard for added protection. The impact of the heists is felt beyond the immediate safety concerns; multiple pharmacies in proximity have also adopted preemptive security measures following violent incidents, including a shootout during a previous robbery attempt that resulted in injuries.
These series of events spotlight not only a troubling new crime trend but also a societal dilemma: as more Brazilians strive for idealized body standards, the lengths to which some will go to secure these medications have moved from desire to desperation, revealing the dark underbelly of a society entrenched in both aspiration and economic hardship.
