Customs and Border Protection, in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration, seized over $3.5 million worth of fake medications at the Cincinnati port.
In a joint operation, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected hundreds of boxes containing possible counterfeit and unapproved medications at the Port of Cincinnati. The operation resulted in the seizure of 54,843 counterfeit products, with a combined value of over $3.53 million if they were legitimate.
The health risks of illicit products are concerning due to the unknown ingredients, which may not be safe when purchased from unapproved sources online. Purchasing unapproved FDA medications online, especially counterfeit versions of Ozempic, Semaglutide, Retatrutide, and Tirzepatide, carries significant risks. These counterfeit drugs are illegal, can be unsafe, and pose serious health risks due to unknown quality and unregulated manufacturing conditions.
Key risks include inaccurate or dangerous ingredients, health hazards from unknown quality, false labeling and misuse, legal and regulatory issues, and potential serious medical complications. Counterfeit products may have no active drug, too little or too much, or toxic contaminants, risking ineffective treatment or harm. Unapproved drugs often do not follow safety or manufacturing standards and may cause adverse effects or unpredictable reactions.
Some products are sold falsely as “for research purposes” but are used by consumers as medications without proper oversight. These products are illegal in the U.S., and agencies like the FDA and Customs have seized large quantities of such counterfeit meds, indicating systemic risk and enforcement challenges. Even approved drugs like Ozempic have documented serious side effects when used improperly; counterfeit versions could exacerbate such risks without medical supervision.
The FDA strongly advises purchasing only from state-licensed pharmacies and warns against buying these drugs online from unverified sellers due to these dangers. Consumers who encounter adverse effects or suspect counterfeit drugs are encouraged to report to the FDA’s MedWatch program.
CBP officers intercepted shipments containing counterfeit Ozempic, Semaglutide, Retatrutide, and Tirzepatide injections. The seized shipments had final destinations in 40 of the 50 states, including Washington D.C., with most shipments heading to Texas, Florida, Georgia, Colorado, California, and New York. The seized pharmaceuticals originated from many different countries, with the most coming from Hong Kong, China, Colombia, and Korea.
CBP targets and inspects questionable shipments being imported into the U.S., and completes enforcement actions when necessary. The agency recommends consumers purchase pharmaceuticals from reputable sources. During inspections, a wide variety of unapproved FDA drugs were discovered, including counterfeit injectables and pills. Various other medications discovered were Botox, Juvéderm, dermal fillers, erectile dysfunction medication, contact lenses, and other FDA-prohibited items.
Purchasing regulated cosmetics and pharmaceuticals online can potentially pose serious health risks to consumers. CBP works closely with multiple partner agencies, including the FDA, to enforce laws protecting the nation's drug supply. Consumers should ensure medications are administered by properly trained and licensed medical professionals.
References:
[1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Buying or Importing Medicine from Canada or Other Foreign Countries. Retrieved July 15, 2023, from https://www.fda.gov/consumers/buy-online-safe-health-products/buying-or-importing-medicine-canada-or-other-foreign-countries
[2] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Counterfeit Drugs. Retrieved July 15, 2023, from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicine/safeimportation/ucm111162.htm
[3] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (n.d.). Ozempic. Retrieved July 15, 2023, from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/ozempic-semaglutide-injection-3-0-mg-solution-single-use-pre-filled-pen
[4] U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (n.d.). Counterfeit Goods. Retrieved July 15, 2023, from https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-operations/counterfeit-goods
Government agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), are working to prevent the distribution of unapproved health-and-wellness products in Cincinnati and across the United States. Specifically, they are focusing on counterfeit versions of health medications like Ozempic, Semaglutide, Retatrutide, and Tirzepatide, which pose significant health risks due to their unknown quality and unregulated manufacturing conditions. Consumers are advised to buy only from state-licensed pharmacies and report any adverse effects or suspected counterfeit drugs to the FDA's MedWatch program.
