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Drug Counterfeiting Comes to the U.S.

API (Active pharmaceutical ingredient) smuggled in this country from China, India and Pakistan is manufactured into pills and are “pre-positioned” for sale and distribution.

Interdiction efforts at the border have been successful. So much so that counterfeiters have shifted strategy. A cheap pill press, colored binding ingredient (sold legally here), some tool and die sets to press brand name and numbers on the pills, as well as some sophisticated packaging materials—that is all that is needed to set up a counterfeiting operation right here in the good ole’ U.S.A.

Found on the dark web, the online pharmacy website might be located in the Netherlands where strict internet privacy policies thwart detection efforts. Typically, the drugs offered are those that can be abused (Xanax) or used for erectile dysfunction.

Once you order, your payment might be processed in Eastern Europe. Someone in the Phillipines calls to confirm you are not a robot or law enforcement. Finally, your order is shipped by common carrier from within the U.S.

These comments came from Pfizer’s Director of Global Security Americas, Brian Donnelly. Donnelly spoke at Healthcare Distributor Alliance Distribution Management Conference and Expo in Palm Springs, CA, March 10-13.

How does the counterfeit API get in the country? A variety of hard-to-detect ways. Some was recently discovered disguised as powered drink mix. Once inside the U.S. it is far easier to operate under the radar. So rather than try to smuggle counterfeit drugs across the border, today’s counterfeiters only need the main component smuggled in, and they source the rest of their operation here.

The bad guys counterfeit drugs not because they are the most expensive, they focus on products with a large market share and heavy volume.

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