Two Indians indicted in US over counterfeit Ozempic smuggling scheme

US prosecutors have charged two Indian nationals with allegedly importing and selling counterfeit Ozempic in America. The case centres on fake packaging, continued sales after an FDA warning, and the prospect of lengthy prison terms.

In Short

• Prosecutors said the scheme ran from July 2023 to April 2024
• Fake packaging and inserts allegedly made the products resemble genuine injections
• Roy pleaded not guilty after extradition from Italy to the United States

Two Indian nationals have been indicted by a US federal grand jury for allegedly importing and selling counterfeit versions of blockbuster weight-loss drug Ozempic in the United States, the Department of Justice said.

According to US prosecutors, the accused — Swapnadip Roy and Vicky Ramancha — allegedly sourced fake Ozempic products from China and distributed them to US-based buyers at discounted prices between July 2023 and April 2024.

Roy has pleaded not guilty after being extradited from Italy to the United States. Ramancha remains at large, the Justice Department said.

FAKE PACKAGING USED TO PASS OFF DRUGS AS GENUINE

Authorities alleged that the counterfeit products were accompanied by packaging, labels and instruction inserts designed to make them appear identical to authentic Ozempic, a widely used diabetes and weight-loss medication.

The Justice Department said the alleged operation continued even after US regulators took action against the fake products.

According to prosecutors, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized some of the counterfeit Ozempic supplies in December 2023 and issued a public warning about the products. Despite that, the alleged scheme continued.

COULD FACE DECADES IN PRISON

Roy and Ramancha have been charged with smuggling counterfeit drugs, selling counterfeit medicines, conspiracy to commit smuggling, and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

If convicted on all counts, the two men could face a maximum combined sentence of up to 71 years in prison, according to the Justice Department.

Ozempic, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, has seen soaring global demand in recent years for its weight-loss and diabetes treatment benefits, making it a frequent target for counterfeiters and illicit sellers.

- Ends
With inputs from Reuters