US couple plead guilty to $2.5m counterfeiting operation

A husband and wife in New Jersey, USA, have pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit medicines made in India to American consumers over the Internet.

Nita and Harshad Patel, both Indian nationals, confessed to one count of unlicensed distribution of pharmaceuticals, including the usual crop of erectile dysfunction drugs as well as potentially lifesaving medicines for schizophrenia (Bristol-Myers Squibb's Abilify), depression (Forest Laboratories' Lexapro) and heart disease (Sanofi's Plavix).

Over the course of several months, Nita Patel and her husband negotiated with the undercover officer for the sale of more than 300,000 tablets of counterfeit drugs with a value of around $2.5m, according to a US Justice department press release. The drugs were sourced from manufacturers in India, according to the DoJ.

The couple face a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense. Sentencing is currently scheduled for August 23.