Counterfeit Drug Operation Busted in Gurugram: Avi Sharma's Arrest

Avi Sharma, 32, was arrested for allegedly manufacturing counterfeit Mounjaro, a diabetes and weight loss drug, from a flat in Gurugram. He attempted to sell a fake tirzepatide-based injection branded as 'Toneup' in Delhi but failed. Authorities seized over 262 counterfeit injections and have launched an investigation.

Avi Sharma, a 32-year-old man, was apprehended by authorities for allegedly producing counterfeit Mounjaro, a drug for diabetes and weight management, from a flat located in Gurugram. Officials disclosed on Sunday that Sharma had been distributing a fake injection branded as 'Toneup', which he unsuccessfully attempted to sell in Delhi's wholesale drug market.

According to Gurugram's Drug Control Officer Amandeep Chauhan, Sharma acquired raw materials from China through Alibaba and managed to sell only a few injections before being caught. An investigation led to the recovery of over 262 counterfeit injections, with distribution thwarted by significant packaging discrepancies.

The regulatory authorities have taken steps to recall the circulated fake injections and have involved platforms like IndiaMART for detailed information. The American pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, original manufacturers of Mounjaro, expressed gratitude towards the regulatory efforts aimed at securing patient safety by eradicating the counterfeit market.