FDA boosts customs collaboration to fight fake drugs
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have strengthened their collaboration in a bid to halt the import of counterfeit drugs and protect public health.
The agencies announced the agreement, which will see the FDA and CBP work toward enhancing knowledge-transfer, yesterday, April 4.
Scott Gottlieb, FDA commissioner, said: “Thousands of illicit and dangerous products come from overseas each day, such as unapproved fentanyl products, counterfeit prescription drugs or fake over-the-counter products that look legitimate.”
He added that, in recent years, the FDA has committed new resources and has been granted authority by Congress to stop the products before they enter the US.
“When bad actors try to circumvent the safety of our supply chains by breaking federal law, we’ll take all appropriate action necessary to ensure these potential risks do not harm the American public,” said Gottlieb.
Most mail arrives in the US through the nation’s nine international mail facilities.
In 2018, FDA staff at the facilities examined packages from more than 180 countries, and approximately 90% of the reviewed packages contained products that shouldn’t have been entering the country.
Under the agreement, the two agencies will expand how information is shared to identify trends which can target future entries. According to the release, this may include general data points on frequent countries of origin, as well as specific products and volumes of packages at each location.
The FDA and CBP will also develop new targeting and enforcement strategies at the 328 ports of entry throughout the US.
Kevin McAleenan, commissioner of CBP, said: “Information and resource sharing between agencies allows us to be more effective and more efficient in confronting threats. We are eager to see the results of this expanded partnership.”
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