2 Indians Charged In US For Selling Fake Ozempic. They Smuggled It From China
Two Indian nationals have been charged in the United States for smuggling and selling counterfeit Ozempic obtained from China. The defendants face up to 71 years in prison for their role in the fraudulent pharmaceutical scheme.
Why it matters
The distribution of counterfeit medication poses a severe public health risk and highlights vulnerabilities in the global pharmaceutical supply chain.
At least two Indians have been charged in the United States for allegedly smuggling and selling counterfeit Ozempic, the diabetes and weight-loss drug. The indictment by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Florida has alleged that the accused, Swapandip Roy and Vicky Ramancha, and their co-conspirators obtained counterfeit Ozempic in China and sold it to US distributors at discounted prices, according to the US Department of Justice. One of the defendants, Roy, has pleaded not guilty during his initial appearance in court in Tampa, Florida, after being extradited from Italy, while the other, Ramancha, remains at large, the department said.Together, the duo faces a 71-year jail term if convicted.The court documents showed that between July 2023 and April 2024, Roy and Ramancha obtained counterfeit Ozempic from unauthorised sources in China.
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