Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has ordered the seizure and suspended the commercialization, manufacturing, and advertising of several products, including items marketed as "natural Ozempic" and medications based on cannabis.
The regulatory action targets unapproved supplements that mimic the effects of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's blockbuster weight-loss drug.
By banning these imitators, Anvisa aims to curb the proliferation of unverified health products that pose safety risks to consumers and undermine the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain.
The move also extends to cannabis-based medicines, signaling a broader tightening of regulatory standards for alternative therapies in Brazil.
This crackdown comes as global demand for weight-loss treatments surges, leading to a rise in counterfeit or unapproved alternatives in emerging markets.
While the immediate impact on major pharmaceutical stocks is limited, the decision underscores the growing regulatory scrutiny on the GLP-1 sector.