A trial began on Monday at Steyr Regional Court for two entrepreneurs accused of supplying counterfeit weight-loss injections to a plastic surgeon.

The defendants, aged 57 and 46, face charges of violating the Medicinal Products Act and causing negligent bodily harm.

The entrepreneurs are alleged to have organised the sale of counterfeit “Ozempic” pens, commonly used for weight loss, which contain the active ingredient semaglutide. However, instead of the genuine medication, the defendants are said to have sourced insulin injections from a German supplier who lacked authorisation to distribute pharmaceutical products.

In addition to the fraud charges, the defendants are accused of causing negligent bodily harm in three cases. Between early and mid-September of the previous year, the doctor allegedly received 225 pens, priced at 205 euros each, which were then administered to patients. Three women are said to have suffered health complications after self-administering the injections.

A verdict is expected later this afternoon, with the defendants facing up to three years in prison if convicted.