Cincinnati CBP nets big fake Viagra haul

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Cincinnati seized around 10,350 counterfeit pills claiming to be Pfizer’s erectile dysfunction medicine Viagra (sildenafil).

If genuine, the pills would have had an estimated manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of approximately $238,050, according to CBP. The bottles had labels stating they were made in the USA, but those claims are suspect as the pills were being imported from the Middle East with potential ties to Hong Kong and China.

“Medications purchased from online sources can be improperly produced without pharmacological specifications and safeguards that ensure the protection of human health,” said CBP in a statement.

“Prescription medications manufactured in non-regulated foreign companies often contain dangerous contaminants or ineffective compounds, and though their packaging and labelling can be similar to genuine products, inconsistent ingredients and sub-par quality controls can endanger the consumer.”