US says two Indian nationals indicted in counterfeit Ozempic smuggling scheme
NVO•Two Indian nationals were indicted for allegedly smuggling counterfeit Ozempic from China and selling it to U.S. distributors between July 2023 and April 2024. One defendant pleaded not guilty; the other remains at large, and both face up to 71 years in prison if convicted.
1. Indictment and charges
A U.S. federal grand jury indicted Swapnadip Roy and Vicky Ramancha for allegedly smuggling and selling counterfeit Ozempic. Roy pleaded not guilty after being extradited from Italy, while Ramancha remains at large.
2. Alleged sales scheme
Prosecutors allege the defendants obtained counterfeit Ozempic in China and sold it at discounted prices to U.S. distributors between July 2023 and April 2024. The medication allegedly included packaging, inserts and labels intended to make purchasers believe it was authentic.
3. FDA warning and penalties
The Justice Department said the scheme continued after the FDA seized some counterfeit Ozempic in December 2023 and issued a public warning. The defendants were charged with smuggling and selling counterfeit drugs, conspiracy to commit smuggling and conspiracy to defraud the United States; they face up to 71 years in prison if convicted.
