The shipment declared as “cosmetic weight loss product” was destined for an Ohio residence
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the port of Cincinnati seized two unapproved shipments of weight loss drugs, including one from a UK pharmacy, last month.
On 5 October, CBP officers seized a shipment declared as “cosmetic weight loss product” and found containing Mounjaro injectable pens of multiple doses (2.5mg, 5mg, and 7mg).
The shipment, arriving from a UK pharmacy and heading to a residence in Ohio, violated the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection report.
Cincinnati CBP officers on 14 October intercepted another shipment, which was also destined for an Ohio residence.
This shipment from Hong Kong contained 20 vials of Semaglutide 10 mg and 150 Tirzepatide 30 mg, with a domestic value of $45,450.
LaFonda D. Sutton-Burke, Director of Field Operations-Chicago, stated that seizures involving these types of unapproved medications are a common occurrence that her officers see on a regular basis.
“Customs and Border Protection officers will continue to work with the trade industry and our consumer safety partners to intercept illicit and potentially dangerous products at our nation’s ports of entry,” she added.
Imported drugs are required to meet FDA standards for quality, safety, and effectiveness.
However, CBP has noted that very few online pharmacies comply with U.S. pharmacy regulations, posing health risks to consumers, who purchase what they believe is a genuine product at a much lower cost.
“The product the consumer receives may be inferior. Risks posed by using medications from unfamiliar sources include unknown ingredients, unusual side effects, and lack of effectiveness of the product,” it added.
Since the start of summer, Cincinnati CBP officers have seized several unapproved shipments of the weight loss drugs Ozempic, Wegovy, and Trulicity, with this trend continuing into the fall.
