Counterfeit Ozempic Smuggling Scheme
Two Nationals Indicted in Florida Over Alleged Counterfeit Ozempic Scheme
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Key Points
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Roy pleaded not guilty at his initial court appearance in Tampa.
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The indictment alleges the pair smuggled thousands of counterfeit units into the United States; the article also identifies both men as Dubai residents.
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The FDA said the counterfeit product used a genuine Novo Nordisk lot number, PAR1229, and that the location of the lot number and expiration date on the injection pen was the only way to distinguish it from authentic Ozempic.
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The FDA said at least six people had reported adverse effects from medication labeled with lot number PAR1229, but believed those cases involved authentic Ozempic.
Two Indian nationals were indicted in Florida for allegedly smuggling counterfeit Ozempic from China and selling it to U.S. distributors at bargain prices. Fox 13 News reports that Swapnadip Roy and Vicky Ramancha ran the scheme from July 2023 to April 2024, using fake packaging and needles to fool buyers. Roy was extradited from Italy and pleaded not guilty in Tampa court. Ramancha remains at large. Both face up to 71 years in prison if convicted.
The pair allegedly sold thousands of counterfeit units even after the FDA seized fake Ozempic and issued a public warning in December 2023. WSBTV says the counterfeit pens used a real Novo Nordisk lot number, PAR1229. The FDA said the placement of the lot number and expiration date was the only way to spot the fakes. At least six people reported bad reactions to medication with that lot number, though regulators believe those involved authentic Ozempic.
How the Counterfeit Scheme Worked
Roy and Ramancha, both Dubai residents, obtained counterfeit Ozempic from unauthorized sources in China. Fox 13 News reports they packaged the fake pens with phony inserts, labels, and needles to look real. The operation then sold these products to U.S. distributors at steep discounts. The scheme targeted the huge demand for Ozempic, a diabetes drug that became a hot black-market item because people use it for weight loss.
Federal prosecutors say the pair kept selling even after the FDA's December warning. The counterfeit pens were nearly impossible to spot without close inspection. Buyers likely received fake Ozempic thinking they were getting genuine medication at a bargain. The scheme ran for nine months before authorities shut it down in April 2024.
How Police Caught the Suspects
Swapnadip Roy was arrested in Italy and extradited to the United States to face charges in Tampa federal court. WSBTV reports that Vicky Ramancha's location remains unknown. Both men were indicted on charges of conspiracy, smuggling counterfeit drugs, and trafficking fake medication. Roy appeared for his initial hearing and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
If convicted, each man faces up to 71 years in prison. The case highlights how counterfeit drugs can slip into the U.S. supply chain, putting patients at serious risk. Fake medications can contain harmful substances or lack the active ingredient entirely, leaving people without needed treatment.
The Danger of Counterfeit Ozempic
Ozempic became a target for counterfeiters because millions of people want it for weight loss, even though it's approved only for diabetes. The fake version used by the suspects had a legitimate-looking lot number, PAR1229, that matched real Novo Nordisk pens. The FDA said the only telltale sign was where the lot number and expiration date appeared on the pen.
At least six people reported harmful side effects from pens labeled with lot number PAR1229. The FDA believes those cases actually involved authentic Ozempic, not fakes. However, counterfeit Ozempic could cause unpredictable reactions or fail to treat diabetes, putting patients in danger. WSBTV notes that the scheme pumped thousands of fake units into U.S. pharmacies and distributors.
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