You have probably heard a friend or coworker mention Ozempic.
The drug is now so common in American medicine cabinets that fakes have followed the demand into the regular pharmacy supply.
On September 29, 2026, the US Department of Justice announced charges against two Indian nationals accused of smuggling counterfeit Ozempic into the country from unauthorized Chinese suppliers.
The fakes were allegedly sold to US distributors at steep discounts between July 2023 and April 2024, according to the indictment.
Also read: How to get more protein and fiber in your diet
About 1 in 8 US adults is currently taking a GLP-1 drug like Ozempic, a KFF poll from late 2025 found.
The men charged and what the fake pens contained
Swapnadip Roy, 33, and Vicky Ramancha, 37, were charged by a federal grand jury in the Middle District of Florida.
Each faces one count of conspiracy to commit smuggling and defraud the United States, three counts of smuggling, and two counts of selling counterfeit drugs.
If convicted, each man could get up to 71 years in prison.
Also read: This type of breast tissue is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer
Roy was extradited from Italy and made his first court appearance in Tampa. Ramancha remains at large.
The counterfeit pens were full copies, prosecutors say.
Fake boxes, fake inserts and fake labels were designed to fool pharmacies and patients.
In earlier seizures tied to the same counterfeit stream, investigators also found counterfeit needles whose sterility could not be confirmed, adding an infection risk on top of whatever is or is not inside the pen.
Also read: Your teenager's daily step count may be shaping their mental health
The label clue that gives away fake pens
The FDA's December 2025 alert about lot number PAR1229 told patients what to look for, according to Partnership for Safe Medicines.
On the counterfeits, the words EXP/LOT are printed to the left of the expiration date and lot number.
On authentic 1 mg Ozempic pens, that text sits directly above them.
Neither Novo Nordisk nor the FDA can confirm what the counterfeit pens actually contain. There is one exception.
Also read: Cooling your home at night may not be enough during a heatwave
Patients who received a PAR1229 pen through Novo Nordisk's Patient Assistance Program have the authentic product.
How to check your pen and your pharmacy
A few practical steps lower the risk of getting a fake.
Fill prescriptions only at state-licensed pharmacies.
Be wary of websites that offer deep discounts, skip the prescription, or ask for payment in cryptocurrency.
Also read: New sleep apnea pill cuts breathing interruptions nearly in half
If a pen looks off, call Novo Nordisk customer care at 1-800-727-6500 or report it to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.
If the EXP/LOT text sits to the left of your lot number, stop using the pen and contact your pharmacy.
This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.