If you were to walk into a Drogasil or Drogaria São Paulo right now, you might see something new, a tiny injectable pen called Ozivy, sitting quietly in the refrigerated medicine section. It lacks Ozempic’s worldwide brand recognition. The Novo Nordisk logo is absent from the packaging. However, it might be just as important, if not more, for millions of Brazilians who are managing type 2 diabetes.
One of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in Brazil, EMS, produces Ozivy, the first semaglutide injection made domestically. After being approved by Anvisa in 2026, it has been quietly but significantly impacting pharmacy shelves. Semaglutide, the active component, is the same compound that made Ozempic well-known throughout the world. However, Ozivy was introduced after the original patent expired, which is precisely why EMS was able to sell it for about 20 to 30 percent less than other options. When it comes to a medication that people require on a weekly basis for the rest of their lives, that gap is not insignificant.
The medication functions similarly to other GLP-1 receptor agonists. When blood sugar levels rise, it instructs the pancreas to release insulin while also lowering glucagon, the hormone that raises blood sugar. More stable glycemic control is the outcome when combined with diet and exercise. A secondary effect that many patients experience is decreased appetite and a slower rate of gastric emptying, which over time tends to result in weight loss. Although Ozivy isn’t formally authorized for treating obesity in Brazil, both physicians and patients are aware of the effects semaglutide has on the waist. This contributes to the drug’s widespread appeal outside of the diabetic community.
Ozivy is supplied in a pre-filled pen with 1.5 milliliters of solution. For the first month, patients usually take 0.25 mg per week; after that, they may increase to 0.5 mg or even 1 mg, depending on how their blood sugar reacts. Once a week, at any convenient time, the injection is administered just beneath the skin on the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Compared to daily insulin injections, the weekly schedule is almost manageable, and for many patients, this ease is crucial for maintaining consistency.
Even so, it’s important to remember that this isn’t a typical over-the-counter purchase. In Brazil, Ozivy needs a prescription, and the pharmacy keeps a copy. Additionally, the pen must be refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C and used within 56 days of opening. No matter how much solution is left, if you miss that window, it ends up in the trash. That’s the kind of logistical detail that doesn’t always make the headline but matters in real life.
Nausea, diarrhea, and sporadic vomiting are typical side effects of semaglutide, particularly during the first few weeks as the body adjusts. Most people manage to get through that phase. Although they are uncommon, the more serious risks—such as acute pancreatitis or severe allergic reactions—should be taken seriously. Before beginning, people with a personal or family history of certain thyroid conditions are advised to consult their physician.
Observing Ozivy’s launch, it seems like multiple drugs are entering the same market. Tens of millions of Brazilians suffer from illnesses for which the country has long relied on imported medications. It seems like a change worth keeping an eye on when a domestic company creates and produces a synthetic GLP-1 agent at a cost that more patients can afford. It remains to be seen if Ozivy will eventually apply for weight management approval in the same manner as Wegovy did abroad. It’s diabetes for now. However, semaglutide is unlikely to stay in that lane indefinitely given what it can do.
