Buying GLP-1 medicines in Brazil: prescriptions and travel

Brazilian pharmacies must keep GLP-1 prescriptions

Anvisa brought in rules requiring pharmacies to retain prescriptions for GLP-1 medicines, starting on 23 June 2025. Its announcement names products including Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy. Older stories about buying these medicines without this prescription step are out of date. Ask a pharmacist which prescription form and paperwork you need for your treatment.

Check each product and its approved use with Anvisa

Use Anvisa's records to check the medicine, dosage form and approved use. A registered injection does not mean the tablet is registered. A Foundayo approval abroad does not give you access in Brazil. Ask the pharmacy for the Brazilian product details and patient leaflet. Do not assume every strength or formulation is registered, sold, in stock or funded in Brazil.

Set up a clinical plan in Brazil

A prescriber should review your history, your current medicines and your reason for treatment. If you have taken a GLP-1 medicine elsewhere, give the exact product, your current dose and the date of your last dose. Ask how follow-up works and what to do if you get a side effect. A clinic selling you a package has not necessarily agreed to take ongoing medical responsibility for you, so ask who will.

Check again before you travel with Brazilian stock

Before you take a product dispensed in Brazil overseas, check the destination's import rules and how much you may bring. Keep the prescription record, the invoice and the original packaging. Ask about storage for your product during long transfers and flights. When you compare prices, add consultation and follow-up fees to the pack price. Do not buy more stock than your clinical plan or the travel allowance covers.

Check the product with Anvisa before you buy

Confirm the exact product and its approved use with Anvisa before buying Mounjaro, Wegovy injection, Wegovy tablets or Foundayo in Brazil. Approval, clinical suitability, funding, pharmacy stock and import permission each need their own check.

• Ask a clinician in Brazil which product suits you and whether your treatment history is enough for an assessment.
• Get the full cost in writing, covering consultations, dispensing and delivery, before you sign up to ongoing treatment.
• Keep the labelled packaging, the prescription and the dispensing record. Show any damaged parcel or medicine with an unclear storage history to the pharmacist before you use it.