A new pen containing semaglutide, manufactured in Brazil, began to be made available in pharmacies this Friday, the 6th. This medication, named Semaclique, is distributed by Brace Pharma, which is part of the EMS Group, and costs R$ 464.81 per unit.
If the consumer purchases three pens, the unit price reduces to R$ 333, totaling R$ 999. The product received approval from the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) for use by adults with type 2 diabetes, although its authorized indication does not include the treatment of obesity.
Semaclique uses synthetic semaglutide, an active ingredient also found in the medications Ozempic and Wegovy. Although they share the same active component, the three drugs may have different indications approved by Anvisa; specifically, Ozempic is intended for type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is used to treat obesity.
Semaglutide belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists. These medications work by mimicking an intestinal hormone that helps control blood glucose and modulate appetite. Their effects include stimulating insulin release when blood sugar levels are high, decreasing gastric emptying speed, and increasing the feeling of satiety.
The medication is administered weekly via subcutaneous injection. According to the manufacturer, the pen has a dose selection mechanism by clicks, allowing for progressive adjustments according to medical recommendation, without the need to buy a new package with each change. It is essential that the patient strictly follows medical guidelines and the instructions contained in the leaflet to determine the dose and make any necessary adjustments.
Like other semaglutide-based medicines, Semaclique can cause side effects. The most common ones are listed, but there are also less frequent, yet potentially serious risks, such as pancreatitis.
For purchase, presenting a two-part medical prescription is mandatory, one of which must be kept by the pharmacy. Furthermore, the product needs to be stored under refrigeration, maintained between 2°C and 8°C, even after starting use.
The introduction of Semaclique occurs after the expiration of the semaglutide patent in Brazil, scheduled for March 2026, which allowed new manufacturers to enter the market. During the year, Anvisa granted authorizations for various medications based on this substance and other GLP-1 agonists.
With these decisions, the number of registrations for medications in this class approved by Anvisa in 2026 reached 20. However, sanitary approval does not guarantee immediate availability in all pharmacies, as commercialization depends on subsequent phases, such as price fixing and distribution logistics by the manufacturing companies.
Although the arrival of new brands may intensify competition, this does not automatically guarantee a decrease in treatment costs. In the specific case of Semaclique, the comparison with existing alternatives depends on the prescribed dose, the quantity consumed, and the commercial conditions of each medication.
