Two Indian nationals, Swapnadip Roy and Vicky Ramancha, were indicted by a U.S. grand jury for allegedly smuggling and distributing counterfeit Ozempic between July 2023 and April 2024. Roy was extradited from Italy and pleaded not guilty; Ramancha remains at large. The DOJ says the counterfeit product, sourced from China, included realistic packaging and continued to circulate despite an FDA seizure and warning in December 2023. If convicted, the defendants face up to 71 years in prison.
US Indicts Two Indian Nationals Over Counterfeit Ozempic Smuggling Scheme
United States Department of Justice logo and U.S. flag are seen in this illustration taken April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
Two Indian nationals have been indicted by a U.S. federal grand jury on charges that they smuggled and sold counterfeit Ozempic, the Department of Justice said on Tuesday.
Details Of The Indictment
Prosecutors allege that between July 2023 and April 2024, Swapnadip Roy and Vicky Ramancha obtained counterfeit Ozempic manufactured in China and offered it to U.S. distributors at discounted prices. The fake shipments reportedly included packaging, inserts and labels designed to resemble genuine Ozempic, a widely used weight-loss medication that can cost patients hundreds of dollars per month.
Roy was extradited from Italy and pleaded not guilty; Ramancha remains at large, the DOJ said. Attorneys for the defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Regulatory Action And Risks
The Justice Department said the alleged operation continued even after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seized some counterfeit product in December 2023 and issued a public warning. Counterfeit medicines can pose serious health risks because their ingredients, potency and sterility are not guaranteed.
Charges: Roy and Ramancha are charged with smuggling and selling counterfeit drugs, conspiracy to commit smuggling, and conspiracy to defraud the United States. If convicted on all counts, they face a combined maximum sentence of up to 71 years in prison.
The Department of Justice noted that the scheme persisted despite prior FDA enforcement actions in December 2023.
Authorities continue to seek Ramancha. The case highlights ongoing concerns about counterfeit pharmaceuticals entering U.S. supply chains from overseas sources.
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