U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Cincinnati, working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seized more than 54,000 counterfeit and unapproved pharmaceutical products during a recent week-long operation. The estimated value of these items, if they had been genuine, was over $3.53 million.
Among the seized products were injectables such as counterfeit Ozempic, Semaglutide, Retatrutide, and Tirzepatide. These medications are popular for their reported effects on weight loss, though Ozempic is only approved by the FDA for treating type 2 diabetes. CBP officials confiscated 16,740 injectable pens labeled as these drugs.
The shipments also contained other pharmaceuticals including Botox, Juvéderm, dermal fillers, erectile dysfunction medication, contact lenses, and various items prohibited by the FDA. The products originated from several countries, with most coming from Hong Kong followed by China, Colombia, and Korea. The shipments were intended for delivery to 40 states and Washington D.C., with Texas, Florida, Georgia, Colorado, California, and New York being the main destinations.
Officials noted that buying pharmaceuticals online can present health risks due to potential unsafe manufacturing practices and unknown ingredients in counterfeit products.
“CBP officers in Cincinnati work tirelessly to combat the importation of illegal shipments of beauty products and medical injectables,” said LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director Field Operations-Chicago. “These drugs can be expensive and hard to acquire in many locations, but CBP urges consumers to only purchase these medications from reputable sources. Cheap prices are not always the safest, especially when it comes to your health and wellbeing.”
CBP collaborates closely with the FDA to protect the nation’s drug supply chain by inspecting questionable imports and taking enforcement action when necessary. The agency advises consumers to obtain pharmaceuticals from legitimate sources and ensure administration by qualified professionals.
Further information about how human drugs can be legally imported into the United States is available through guidance provided by the FDA.
