Products stolen or stolen from large chains end up being sold online
Slimming pens, used with medical prescription to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes, have become a new front for organized crime in São Paulo. In 2025, according to a survey by Abrafarma (Brazilian Association of Pharmacies and Drugstores), losses from theft and robbery involving this type of product exceeded R$69 million in losses of large pharmacy chains.
Abrafarma’s CEO, Sérgio Mena Barreto, warns that these pens are illegally resold on marketplace platformsa practice prohibited in Brazil. Legal acquisition can only occur with a medical prescription. It also highlights the risks to public health, as incorrect storage — without adequate refrigeration — can compromise the effectiveness and safety of the medicine.
Each pen It costs, on average, R$1,500. The expectation is that, with the launch of the generic version scheduled for March and the arrival of new brands by the second half of 2026, use will increase even further — which worries authorities.
To contain criminal activity, the Secretariat of São Paulo Public Security works with Abrafarma in mapping specialized gangs. According to secretary Osvaldo Nico Gonçalves, investigations are already underway to identify recipients, sellers and perpetrators of the crimes. The goal is to reinforce the use of intelligence and articulate coordinated actions between pharmacies, police and digital platforms.
