GLP-1 Medications in Latin America: What Changes When You Travel with Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are prescription-only across Latin America, but import limits, cold-chain gaps, and counterfeit risk vary sharply by country.

GLP-1 medications abroad: the cold-chain gap nobody warns you about

Every GLP-1 medication, semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), requires refrigeration between 2°C and 8°C until first use. Crossing Latin America in summer heat without a plan risks degrading your medication before you even arrive.

This guide covers medication import rules, cold-chain logistics, local availability, price ranges, and counterfeit risk across Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Costa Rica.

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Regulations and drug availability change frequently. Consult your prescribing clinician and verify current import rules with each country's health authority before you travel.

The import rule that trips up most travellers

None of the six countries covered here permits you to import a GLP-1 medication without a valid prescription or a supporting doctor's letter. Mexico's COFEPRIS, Colombia's INVIMA, Brazil's ANVISA, Argentina's ANMAT, Chile's ISP, and Costa Rica's CONIS all classify semaglutide and tirzepatide as prescription-only medications requiring documentation at the border.^[1]

The practical import limit in each country is typically a 30-day personal supply for non-residents. Carry your prescription in the original language of issue plus a signed letter from your prescriber, keep pens in their original manufacturer packaging, and declare them at customs.

Argentina added a further layer in March 2025: Decree 366/2025 requires travellers to hold private medical insurance with active cover as a condition of entry. Check that your policy names semaglutide or tirzepatide as a covered medication, not just 'diabetes medication', if you need a replacement supply.

Country by country: availability and prices

Mexico

Ozempic (semaglutide 0.5 mg and 1 mg pens) is registered by COFEPRIS and stocked at major pharmacy chains including Farmacias del Ahorro, Farmacia Guadalajara, and San Pablo. A 1 mg Ozempic pen retails at approximately MX$4,500 to MX$5,500 (~$220 to $270 / ~€200 to €245) without subsidy. Wegovy and Mounjaro have limited registered supply in Mexico; availability varies by city.^[2]

Counterfeit semaglutide is a documented risk in Mexico. The FDA and COFEPRIS have both issued public warnings about fake Ozempic pens circulating in the grey market. Buy only from licensed pharmacies with a physical address and an official COFEPRIS registration number displayed.

Colombia

Ozempic is registered by INVIMA in Colombia and available at large pharmacy chains in Bogotá and Medellín. INVIMA registers semaglutide formulations for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Wegovy registration is more recent and supply is patchy outside capital cities. A 1 mg Ozempic pen costs approximately COP$450,000 to COP$600,000 (~$105 to $140 / ~€96 to €127).

Colombian EPS (public health system) subsidises Ozempic for registered diabetic patients, but travellers accessing the system through EPS are not eligible. Private consultation at a clinic in Bogotá or Medellín typically costs COP$80,000 to COP$150,000 (~$19 to $35 / ~€17 to €32) for a GP visit.

Brazil

Brazil's ANVISA approved Ozempic in 2018 and Wegovy in 2023. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) received ANVISA approval in 2024. Ozempic 1 mg pens retail at approximately R$900 to R$1,200 (~$160 to $215 / ~€148 to €198) at major chains such as Drogasil and Drogaria São Paulo.^[3]

Brazil imposes a specific customs rule for non-residents: personal medication imports require a prescription and must not exceed a 60-day supply. ANVISA's Resolution RDC 81/2008 governs personal-import quantities for prescription medications. Keep your prescription with you at all times.

Argentina

ANMAT approved semaglutide (Ozempic) in Argentina and it is available at major pharmacies in Buenos Aires. Wegovy's availability is limited. ANMAT import rules cap personal medication quantities at 30 days for travellers. Ozempic 1 mg pens retail at approximately ARS$120,000 to ARS$160,000 (~$120 to $160 / ~€110 to €145) at current exchange rates, though Argentine peso fluctuation means these figures shift frequently. If you are managing another chronic condition alongside your GLP-1 therapy, Argentina's import rules and private pharmacy landscape are worth reviewing before you travel.^[4]

Chile

Chile's ISP (Instituto de Salud Pública) has approved Ozempic and, more recently, tirzepatide under the brand Mounjaro. Pharmacies in Santiago stock both with a valid local or foreign prescription. A 1 mg Ozempic pen retails at approximately CLP$85,000 to CLP$110,000 (~$88 to $115 / ~€81 to €105).

Chile permits travellers to carry a 90-day personal supply with a valid prescription, one of the more generous allowances in the region. A notarised translation of non-Spanish prescriptions is not legally required but is strongly recommended to avoid delays at customs.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica's CONIS has registered Ozempic. Supply in San José pharmacies is generally available but intermittent. Mounjaro availability in Costa Rica is limited and not consistently stocked at the time of writing. CONIS permits a 30-day personal medication supply for non-residents with a valid prescription. A 1 mg Ozempic pen costs approximately CRC$55,000 to CRC$75,000 (~$105 to $143 / ~€96 to €130).^[5]

The cold-chain trap: heat, flights, and degraded medication

Unopened GLP-1 pens must be kept at 2°C to 8°C. Once in use, Ozempic pens can be stored at room temperature up to 30°C for up to 56 days, and Mounjaro pens for up to 21 days. Ambient temperatures in coastal Colombia, Brazil's northeast, and lowland Costa Rica regularly exceed 32°C.

Checked luggage holds are not temperature-controlled. Always carry GLP-1 pens in your cabin baggage in an insulated medication pouch or a portable medical cooler. Freeze packs are not appropriate: freezing destroys the medication. Use cool gel packs kept above 0°C. For further guidance on cold-chain management, refer to our GLP-1 travel guide.

At security, declare your pens and present your prescription. Cabin-baggage rules for liquid medications (including injectable pens) are set by national airport security agencies, not by the airlines themselves. In Colombia, the Aerocivil exempts medically necessary liquids from the 100 ml rule with a prescription. Brazil's ANAC and Chile's DGAC have equivalent provisions.

The counterfeit supply issue

The US FDA identified counterfeit Ozempic pens circulating in the supply chain in 2024, including units that reached legitimate-looking online pharmacies. Mexico has documented cases of counterfeit semaglutide pens bearing copied lot numbers.^[6]

Three checks before you accept a pen from any pharmacy:

Verify the pen's lot number against Novo Nordisk's or Eli Lilly's product authentication tools on their official websites.

Confirm the pharmacy has a valid registration number from the country's drug authority (COFEPRIS in Mexico, INVIMA in Colombia, ANVISA in Brazil, ANMAT in Argentina, ISP in Chile, CONIS in Costa Rica).

Do not buy from street vendors, social media listings, or online platforms that do not require a prescription.

Documenting your medication before you travel

Carrying a complete medication record reduces delays at every customs point. An International Patient Summary (IPS) created through Nomedic consolidates your prescriptions, dosing schedule, and prescriber contact details into a standardised format that border health officers across all six countries can read. For cold-chain medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide, include a note from your prescriber confirming the storage requirements.

Keep a digital and a printed copy of your prescription. If your pen is lost, damaged, or confiscated, a printed prescription with your prescriber's direct contact number dramatically speeds up replacement consultations at a local private clinic.

Insurance: the coverage gap for GLP-1 medications

Travel insurance policies routinely exclude pre-existing conditions unless declared and covered at underwriting. Even where a policy covers 'diabetes medication', it may explicitly exclude GLP-1 medications prescribed for weight management rather than for type 2 diabetes.

Read the policy wording carefully. Ask your insurer specifically whether semaglutide or tirzepatide is included, and whether that cover extends to replacement of a lost or damaged pen abroad. Some policies cover emergency medical care resulting from medication failure but not the medication itself.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring Ozempic or Wegovy into Mexico without a prescription?

No. COFEPRIS requires a valid prescription for all semaglutide imports into Mexico, regardless of quantity. Carry your original prescription and a signed letter from your prescriber. Without documentation, customs can confiscate the medication at the border.

Is Mounjaro (tirzepatide) legal to bring into Brazil?

Yes, Mounjaro is legal to carry into Brazil with a valid prescription and supporting documentation under ANVISA's personal-import rules. The maximum personal import quantity for non-residents is 60 days' supply. Keep the medication in original manufacturer packaging.

How much does Ozempic cost in Argentina compared to Brazil?

In Argentina, a 1 mg Ozempic pen costs approximately ARS$120,000 to ARS$160,000 (~$120 to $160 / ~€110 to €145) at current exchange rates, though peso fluctuation makes this figure volatile. In Brazil, the equivalent pen retails at approximately R$900 to R$1,200 (~$160 to $215 / ~€148 to €198). These are private pharmacy prices without insurance subsidy.

Is it safe to buy Ozempic from a pharmacy in Mexico or Colombia?

Buying from a licensed, registered pharmacy is generally safe. The risk comes from unlicensed sellers: counterfeit Ozempic pens have been documented in Mexico's grey market and identified by COFEPRIS and the US FDA. Always verify the pharmacy's official registration number and check the pen's lot number against Novo Nordisk's authentication tool before accepting any pen.

Can I carry GLP-1 pens in my carry-on luggage on flights within Latin America?

Yes. Medical liquids and injectable pens are exempt from the standard cabin-baggage liquid restrictions when accompanied by a valid prescription. Colombia's Aerocivil, Brazil's ANAC, and Chile's DGAC all have provisions for medically necessary liquids. Declare the pens at security and present your prescription if asked.

What happens if my Ozempic pen gets too hot during travel in a hot climate?

A pen exposed to temperatures above 30°C for extended periods may be degraded and should not be used. Inspect the solution: if it is cloudy, discoloured, or contains particles, discard it. Contact your prescriber to arrange a replacement. This is why carrying pens in your cabin bag in an insulated pouch, not in checked luggage, is essential.