In Brazil, a new wave of armed robberies has pharmacies on edge as criminals target high-value weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda. In São Paulo, where body image pressures meet rising obesity rates, pharmacists are increasingly encountering armed bandits demanding refrigerated medications from behind their counters. The thefts, driven by social media buzz and celebrity endorsements, have spurred pharmacies to adopt strict security measures—including reduced in-store stocks and even the unconventional presence of a leather-sheathed machete—while criminals also target wholesale deliveries. With Ozempic prices soaring and buyers active on messaging platforms, the losses are mounting and even prompting innovative (and sometimes dangerous) schemes to switch genuine medications with counterfeits, all under the looming prospect of generic alternatives entering the market post-2026.

Key Points:

• High-cost weight-loss drugs (Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda) are the prime targets of armed robberies in São Paulo.
• Thieves are motivated by soaring demand fueled by social media and celebrity endorsements.
• Robberies have increased dramatically, prompting pharmacies to enhance security measures, including employing armed guards and reducing in-store stock.
• Criminal gangs are even robbing wholesale delivery trucks, while some schemes involve swapping authentic drugs with counterfeits.
• The criminal trend comes amid a backdrop of rising obesity rates and economic disparities, with the pharmaceutical market facing potential shifts once generics become available post-2026.

Why did the robber break into the pharmacy? He heard they had the "coolest" new drug around—it's like the ultimate weight-loss heist with extra chilly rewards!
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