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US Customs Seized 21 Illegal Shipments of ED Medications in Cincinnati
In the month of January 2022, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized 21 shipments of illegally imported erectile dysfunction medications, including Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra, that were coming through the Port of Cincinnati.
The medications, which originated from China, India, Malaysia, or Sudan, were headed to individuals in 9 states, including Indiana and Kentucky. Over 32,000 pills were mixed into shipments of vitamins, supplements, watches, and other medications.
According to the CBP, the shipments also contained over 1000 packets of jellies and honey laced with sildenafil. Had they been legally sold, the medications would have been worth over $700,000.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been working with the CBP to protect patients from illegally imported prescription medications. However, e-commerce has soared during the pandemic, with many patients seeking ‘discount’ medications. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy reports that only 3% of online pharmacies that it reviewed are in compliance with United States’ pharmacy laws, making purchases potentially dangerous.
“Consumers are purchasing these prescription medications from other countries thinking they are getting them at a discount, when in fact they are purchasing an inferior product with unregulated ingredients,” said LaFonda D Sutton-Burke, director, Field Operations-Chicago CBP, in a press release.
“The FDA is concerned about the illegal importation of prescription medications as these drug products may pose a significant risk to patients. Like the products seized by our partners at CBP, these products are not always made under good manufacturing practice conditions,” said FDA Assistant Commissioner for Import Operations Dan Solis in a statement. “Prescription drugs should only be used under the supervision of a licensed health care professional who is able to identify appropriate therapies for patients and monitor for potential side effects.”
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