# Theft Drives Up Pharmaceutical Costs

> Pharmaceutical thefts in Brazil surge as criminal activity targets high-value medicines.
- Title: Theft Drives Up Pharmaceutical Costs · valorinternational
- Summary: Pharmaceutical thefts in Brazil surge as criminal activity targets high-value medicines.
- Keywords: pharmaceutical supply chain, theft, medicines, brazil, glp-1 medicines, r$196.2 million, brink's, anvisa, abrafarma, abradimex, valorinternational
- Source: valorinternational — https://valorinternational.globo.com/business/news/2026/11/13/theft-drives-up-costs-across-pharmaceutical-supply-chain.ghtml
- Published: 2026-11-13T22:00:00.904+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pharmaceutical supply chain, theft, medicines, brazil, glp-1 medicines, r$196.2 million, brink's, anvisa, abrafarma, abradimex, business, money
## Pharmaceutical Theft Surge
Brazil's Federal Revenue Service seized R$196.2 million in illicit medicines between January and September 2026, an 186% increase from 2025.
## High-Value Targets
Weight-loss injection pens, anabolic steroids, and peptides are increasingly targeted by criminals due to their high market value.
## Security Response
Brink's plans to expand its refrigerated vehicle fleet from 15 to 20 units by early 2027, a 33% increase to address theft risks.
## São Paulo Incidents
São Paulo pharmacies reported an average of one robbery or theft every two hours and 17 minutes in 2025, involving 58,898 GLP-1 units.
## Cost Impacts
Distributors face replacement, rescheduling, security, and insurance costs after thefts, though regulated prices prevent price increases.
## Logistics Challenges
Smaller shipments reduce exposure but increase costs, while consolidated loads raise diversion risks for medicines.
## Regulatory Response
ANVISA restricts returned medicines after thefts, requiring quality, safety, and efficacy assessments before re-entry into the supply chain.
## Key takeaway

Brazil's pharmaceutical supply chain faces rising theft costs, with seizures of $196.2m in illicit medicines between Jan-Sep 2026.