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NewsThe US Department of Justice has indicted two Indian nationals for allegedly smuggling and selling fake Ozempic sourced from China to US distributors. The scheme ran from July 2023 to April 2024, even continuing after the FDA seized counterfeit products and issued a public warning. The pair face up to 71 years in prison if convicted.
The US Department of Justice has indicted two Indian nationals — Swapnadip Roy and Vicky Ramancha — for allegedly running a counterfeit Ozempic smuggling operation. Roy has pleaded not guilty after being extradited from Italy, while Ramancha remains at large. The duo allegedly sourced fake Ozempic from China and sold it to US distributors at discounted prices, complete with convincing packaging, inserts, and labels designed to pass as the real thing.
What makes this especially concerning: the scheme didn't stop even after the FDA seized some of the counterfeit products in December 2023 and issued a public warning. The operation ran from July 2023 to April 2024, targeting a drug that can cost patients hundreds of dollars per month — making the discounted fakes an attractive but dangerous alternative.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Counterfeit medications pose serious safety risks to patients who believe they're receiving a regulated, effective drug. With Ozempic's skyrocketing demand and high cost, it has become a prime target for fraud — and this case underscores the urgent need for supply chain vigilance and consumer awareness around GLP-1 medications.