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    Reasons Gas Stations Charge for Compressed Air

    Reasons Gas Stations Charge for Compressed Air

    What To Consider Before Repainting Your Classic Car

    What To Consider Before Repainting Your Classic Car

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    What Your Car’s Paint Color Says About You

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    Top Ways To Upgrade Your Electric Vehicle

    Tips for Crossing Water in Your Jeep Wrangler

    Tips for Crossing Water in Your Jeep Wrangler

    4 Helpful Tips for Giving Your Car a Glossy Finish

    4 Helpful Tips for Giving Your Car a Glossy Finish

    4 Common Mistakes To Avoid With Car Restorations

    4 Common Mistakes To Avoid With Car Restorations

    Signs That It Might Be Time To Get a New Car

    Signs That It Might Be Time To Get a New Car

    Mercedes-Benz Charging Network

    Mercedes-Benz to Launch Global Branded High-Power Charging Network in North America

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  • Business
    Mistakes To Avoid When Starting Your Online Store

    Mistakes To Avoid When Starting Your Online Store

    Ways To Reduce Safety Hazards in the Office

    Ways To Reduce Safety Hazards in the Office

    How To Realistically Invest in Apartment Complexes

    How To Realistically Invest in Apartment Complexes

    Fighting housing shortage: Airbnb & Co should share more data with authorities to prevent fraud 

    Fighting housing shortage: Airbnb & Co should share more data with authorities to prevent fraud 

    How To Transition to Mass-Producing Your Product

    How To Transition to Mass-Producing Your Product

    How To Choose the Right Outdoor Lighting for Your Business

    How To Choose the Right Outdoor Lighting for Your Business

    Tips for Designing an Industrial-Style Restaurant

    Tips for Designing an Industrial-Style Restaurant

    Los Angeles implemented a new tax on luxurious real estate to finance affordable housing and combat homelessness

    Los Angeles implemented a new tax on luxurious real estate to finance affordable housing and combat homelessness

    Working shorter hours: 38 companies in the USA are testing the 4-day week

    Working shorter hours: 38 companies in the USA are testing the 4-day week

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    • Fashion
      Essential Tips for Planning a Great Fashion Show

      Essential Tips for Planning a Great Fashion Show

      Signs That Your Tuxedo Doesn’t Fit Right

      Signs That Your Tuxedo Doesn’t Fit Right

      Make a Bold Style Statement With These Wide-Leg Pants

      Make a Bold Style Statement With These Wide-Leg Pants

      Power Your Winter Workouts With The Best Zip Hoodies for Men

      Power Your Winter Workouts With The Best Zip Hoodies for Men

      The Ultimate Watch Buying Guide

      The Ultimate Watch Buying Guide

      Outdoor Enthusiasts, Take Note: These Watches Are as Tough as You

      Outdoor Enthusiasts, Take Note: These Watches Are as Tough as You

      Our 7 Favorite Field Jackets for Tackling Fall Weather

      Our 7 Favorite Field Jackets for Tackling Fall Weather

      The Best Leather Jackets for Guys – No Matter Your Budget

      The Best Leather Jackets for Guys – No Matter Your Budget

      Campus-Ready Backpacks for Storing *All* the Books

      Campus-Ready Backpacks for Storing *All* the Books

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      • Food & Drink
        Energizing Foods and Drinks To Consume Before a Workout

        Energizing Foods and Drinks To Consume Before a Workout

        Classic Beer Styles You Should Know How to Brew

        Classic Beer Styles You Should Know How to Brew

        The Best Flour Alternatives That Work in Any Recipe

        The Best Flour Alternatives That Work in Any Recipe

        Cheese Tortellini in Creamy Marinara

        Cheese Tortellini in Creamy Marinara

        Unusual Products That Come From Animals and Their Uses

        Unusual Products That Come From Animals and Their Uses

        Tips for Creating a Homemade Wine Cellar

        Tips for Creating a Homemade Wine Cellar

        How the wine you choose can help you have an eco-friendly home

        How the Wine You Choose Can Help You have an Eco-Friendly Home

        Rum and Cola Holiday Ham

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        • Health
          Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Injects Presidential Politics Into the Covid Vaccine Debate

          Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Injects Presidential Politics Into the Covid Vaccine Debate

          Tips for Fitting a Doctor’s Visit Into Your Busy Schedule

          Tips for Fitting a Doctor’s Visit Into Your Busy Schedule

          The Shrinking Number of Primary Care Physicians Is Reaching a Tipping Point

          The Shrinking Number of Primary Care Physicians Is Reaching a Tipping Point

          Activist Misuses Federal Data to Make False Claim That Covid Vaccines Killed 676,000

          Activist Misuses Federal Data to Make False Claim That Covid Vaccines Killed 676,000

          Illustrated Report: How Gun Violence Goes Viral

          Illustrated Report: How Gun Violence Goes Viral

          A New Medicare Proposal Would Cover Training for Family Caregivers

          A New Medicare Proposal Would Cover Training for Family Caregivers

          New Alzheimer’s Drug Raises Hopes — Along With Questions

          New Alzheimer’s Drug Raises Hopes — Along With Questions

          Blood Test That Screens for Cancer Raises Hopes, and Worries

          Blood Test That Screens for Cancer Raises Hopes, and Worries

          Medical Debt Is Making Americans Angry. Doctors and Hospitals Ignore This at Their Peril.

          Medical Debt Is Making Americans Angry. Doctors and Hospitals Ignore This at Their Peril.

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          • Lifestyle
            Common Dog Owner Mistakes and How To Avoid Them

            Common Dog Owner Mistakes and How To Avoid Them

            3 Reasons To Give an Antique or Vintage Engagement Ring

            3 Reasons To Give an Antique or Vintage Engagement Ring

            Tim Ferris

            Tim Ferriss’ Lifestyle Design: Unleashing Human Potential and Redefining Success

            Outdoor Luxuries To Add to Your Backyard

            Outdoor Luxuries To Add to Your Backyard

            Strategy and business planning ideas. Chess gold on the board.

            Why the Friend of My Enemy is My Enemy

            Huge Money Mistakes New Parents Fall For

            Huge Money Mistakes New Parents Fall For

            Energizing Foods and Drinks To Consume Before a Workout

            Energizing Foods and Drinks To Consume Before a Workout

            Hobbies That Stimulate Cognitive Function

            Hobbies That Stimulate Cognitive Function

            How To Prevent Mold from Growing in a Sauna

            How To Prevent Mold from Growing in a Sauna

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            • Politics
              Carbon capture draws millions in lobbying, billions in federal subsidies

              Carbon capture draws millions in lobbying, billions in federal subsidies

              United leads soaring airline industry lobbying spending

              United leads soaring airline industry lobbying spending

              Deep-pocketed dairy industry continues war on plant-based milk as FDA hears comments on new draft guidance

              Deep-pocketed dairy industry continues war on plant-based milk as FDA hears comments on new draft guidance

              Shein’s lobbying spending soars amid supply chain probes

              Shein’s lobbying spending soars amid supply chain probes

              Virginia legislative candidates in Richmond and Hampton Roads raked in millions in final primary sprint

              Virginia legislative candidates in Richmond and Hampton Roads raked in millions in final primary sprint

              Manchin outraises GOP challengers but has yet to announce 2024 plans

              Manchin outraises GOP challengers but has yet to announce 2024 plans

              Gallego outraises Sinema but falls far short of incumbent’s war chest in Arizona Senate race

              Gallego outraises Sinema but falls far short of incumbent’s war chest in Arizona Senate race

              Elon Musk outmuscled by Mark Zuckerberg’s money in politics

              Elon Musk outmuscled by Mark Zuckerberg’s money in politics

              Amazon lobbyists tout workplace safety improvements ahead of Senate investigation

              Amazon lobbyists tout workplace safety improvements ahead of Senate investigation

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              • Real Estate
                Ways To Invest in Real Estate With No Experience

                Ways To Invest in Real Estate With No Experience

                How To Make Your Rental Property More Eco-Friendly

                How To Make Your Rental Property More Eco-Friendly

                Things To Consider Before Investing in Real Estate Overseas

                Things To Consider Before Investing in Real Estate Overseas

                Incredible Areas in Florida To Buy a Vacation Home

                Incredible Areas in Florida To Buy a Vacation Home

                Helpful Home Staging Tips for Virtual Tours

                Helpful Home Staging Tips for Virtual Tours

                Ways To Decorate and Design a Lake House

                Ways To Decorate and Design a Lake House

                Challenges To Managing a Rental Property

                Challenges To Managing a Rental Property

                The Best Landlord: How To Show Tenants You Care

                The Best Landlord: How To Show Tenants You Care

                The Best Locations To Invest in a Second Home

                The Best Locations To Invest in a Second Home

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                  Reasons Gas Stations Charge for Compressed Air

                  Reasons Gas Stations Charge for Compressed Air

                  What To Consider Before Repainting Your Classic Car

                  What To Consider Before Repainting Your Classic Car

                  What Your Car’s Paint Color Says About You

                  What Your Car’s Paint Color Says About You

                  Top Ways To Upgrade Your Electric Vehicle

                  Top Ways To Upgrade Your Electric Vehicle

                  Tips for Crossing Water in Your Jeep Wrangler

                  Tips for Crossing Water in Your Jeep Wrangler

                  4 Helpful Tips for Giving Your Car a Glossy Finish

                  4 Helpful Tips for Giving Your Car a Glossy Finish

                  4 Common Mistakes To Avoid With Car Restorations

                  4 Common Mistakes To Avoid With Car Restorations

                  Signs That It Might Be Time To Get a New Car

                  Signs That It Might Be Time To Get a New Car

                  Mercedes-Benz Charging Network

                  Mercedes-Benz to Launch Global Branded High-Power Charging Network in North America

                  Trending Tags

                  • Mercedes-Benz
                  • Mustang
                • Business
                  Mistakes To Avoid When Starting Your Online Store

                  Mistakes To Avoid When Starting Your Online Store

                  Ways To Reduce Safety Hazards in the Office

                  Ways To Reduce Safety Hazards in the Office

                  How To Realistically Invest in Apartment Complexes

                  How To Realistically Invest in Apartment Complexes

                  Fighting housing shortage: Airbnb & Co should share more data with authorities to prevent fraud 

                  Fighting housing shortage: Airbnb & Co should share more data with authorities to prevent fraud 

                  How To Transition to Mass-Producing Your Product

                  How To Transition to Mass-Producing Your Product

                  How To Choose the Right Outdoor Lighting for Your Business

                  How To Choose the Right Outdoor Lighting for Your Business

                  Tips for Designing an Industrial-Style Restaurant

                  Tips for Designing an Industrial-Style Restaurant

                  Los Angeles implemented a new tax on luxurious real estate to finance affordable housing and combat homelessness

                  Los Angeles implemented a new tax on luxurious real estate to finance affordable housing and combat homelessness

                  Working shorter hours: 38 companies in the USA are testing the 4-day week

                  Working shorter hours: 38 companies in the USA are testing the 4-day week

                  Trending Tags

                  • Fashion
                    Essential Tips for Planning a Great Fashion Show

                    Essential Tips for Planning a Great Fashion Show

                    Signs That Your Tuxedo Doesn’t Fit Right

                    Signs That Your Tuxedo Doesn’t Fit Right

                    Make a Bold Style Statement With These Wide-Leg Pants

                    Make a Bold Style Statement With These Wide-Leg Pants

                    Power Your Winter Workouts With The Best Zip Hoodies for Men

                    Power Your Winter Workouts With The Best Zip Hoodies for Men

                    The Ultimate Watch Buying Guide

                    The Ultimate Watch Buying Guide

                    Outdoor Enthusiasts, Take Note: These Watches Are as Tough as You

                    Outdoor Enthusiasts, Take Note: These Watches Are as Tough as You

                    Our 7 Favorite Field Jackets for Tackling Fall Weather

                    Our 7 Favorite Field Jackets for Tackling Fall Weather

                    The Best Leather Jackets for Guys – No Matter Your Budget

                    The Best Leather Jackets for Guys – No Matter Your Budget

                    Campus-Ready Backpacks for Storing *All* the Books

                    Campus-Ready Backpacks for Storing *All* the Books

                    Trending Tags

                    • Food & Drink
                      Energizing Foods and Drinks To Consume Before a Workout

                      Energizing Foods and Drinks To Consume Before a Workout

                      Classic Beer Styles You Should Know How to Brew

                      Classic Beer Styles You Should Know How to Brew

                      The Best Flour Alternatives That Work in Any Recipe

                      The Best Flour Alternatives That Work in Any Recipe

                      Cheese Tortellini in Creamy Marinara

                      Cheese Tortellini in Creamy Marinara

                      Unusual Products That Come From Animals and Their Uses

                      Unusual Products That Come From Animals and Their Uses

                      Tips for Creating a Homemade Wine Cellar

                      Tips for Creating a Homemade Wine Cellar

                      How the wine you choose can help you have an eco-friendly home

                      How the Wine You Choose Can Help You have an Eco-Friendly Home

                      Rum and Cola Holiday Ham

                      Special Centerpieces for Holiday Celebrations

                      ChefsGiving 2020

                      This Holiday Season, How about Cooking for a Cause?

                      Trending Tags

                      • Health
                        Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Injects Presidential Politics Into the Covid Vaccine Debate

                        Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Injects Presidential Politics Into the Covid Vaccine Debate

                        Tips for Fitting a Doctor’s Visit Into Your Busy Schedule

                        Tips for Fitting a Doctor’s Visit Into Your Busy Schedule

                        The Shrinking Number of Primary Care Physicians Is Reaching a Tipping Point

                        The Shrinking Number of Primary Care Physicians Is Reaching a Tipping Point

                        Activist Misuses Federal Data to Make False Claim That Covid Vaccines Killed 676,000

                        Activist Misuses Federal Data to Make False Claim That Covid Vaccines Killed 676,000

                        Illustrated Report: How Gun Violence Goes Viral

                        Illustrated Report: How Gun Violence Goes Viral

                        A New Medicare Proposal Would Cover Training for Family Caregivers

                        A New Medicare Proposal Would Cover Training for Family Caregivers

                        New Alzheimer’s Drug Raises Hopes — Along With Questions

                        New Alzheimer’s Drug Raises Hopes — Along With Questions

                        Blood Test That Screens for Cancer Raises Hopes, and Worries

                        Blood Test That Screens for Cancer Raises Hopes, and Worries

                        Medical Debt Is Making Americans Angry. Doctors and Hospitals Ignore This at Their Peril.

                        Medical Debt Is Making Americans Angry. Doctors and Hospitals Ignore This at Their Peril.

                        Trending Tags

                        • Lifestyle
                          Common Dog Owner Mistakes and How To Avoid Them

                          Common Dog Owner Mistakes and How To Avoid Them

                          3 Reasons To Give an Antique or Vintage Engagement Ring

                          3 Reasons To Give an Antique or Vintage Engagement Ring

                          Tim Ferris

                          Tim Ferriss’ Lifestyle Design: Unleashing Human Potential and Redefining Success

                          Outdoor Luxuries To Add to Your Backyard

                          Outdoor Luxuries To Add to Your Backyard

                          Strategy and business planning ideas. Chess gold on the board.

                          Why the Friend of My Enemy is My Enemy

                          Huge Money Mistakes New Parents Fall For

                          Huge Money Mistakes New Parents Fall For

                          Energizing Foods and Drinks To Consume Before a Workout

                          Energizing Foods and Drinks To Consume Before a Workout

                          Hobbies That Stimulate Cognitive Function

                          Hobbies That Stimulate Cognitive Function

                          How To Prevent Mold from Growing in a Sauna

                          How To Prevent Mold from Growing in a Sauna

                          Trending Tags

                          • Politics
                            Carbon capture draws millions in lobbying, billions in federal subsidies

                            Carbon capture draws millions in lobbying, billions in federal subsidies

                            United leads soaring airline industry lobbying spending

                            United leads soaring airline industry lobbying spending

                            Deep-pocketed dairy industry continues war on plant-based milk as FDA hears comments on new draft guidance

                            Deep-pocketed dairy industry continues war on plant-based milk as FDA hears comments on new draft guidance

                            Shein’s lobbying spending soars amid supply chain probes

                            Shein’s lobbying spending soars amid supply chain probes

                            Virginia legislative candidates in Richmond and Hampton Roads raked in millions in final primary sprint

                            Virginia legislative candidates in Richmond and Hampton Roads raked in millions in final primary sprint

                            Manchin outraises GOP challengers but has yet to announce 2024 plans

                            Manchin outraises GOP challengers but has yet to announce 2024 plans

                            Gallego outraises Sinema but falls far short of incumbent’s war chest in Arizona Senate race

                            Gallego outraises Sinema but falls far short of incumbent’s war chest in Arizona Senate race

                            Elon Musk outmuscled by Mark Zuckerberg’s money in politics

                            Elon Musk outmuscled by Mark Zuckerberg’s money in politics

                            Amazon lobbyists tout workplace safety improvements ahead of Senate investigation

                            Amazon lobbyists tout workplace safety improvements ahead of Senate investigation

                            Trending Tags

                            • Real Estate
                              Ways To Invest in Real Estate With No Experience

                              Ways To Invest in Real Estate With No Experience

                              How To Make Your Rental Property More Eco-Friendly

                              How To Make Your Rental Property More Eco-Friendly

                              Things To Consider Before Investing in Real Estate Overseas

                              Things To Consider Before Investing in Real Estate Overseas

                              Incredible Areas in Florida To Buy a Vacation Home

                              Incredible Areas in Florida To Buy a Vacation Home

                              Helpful Home Staging Tips for Virtual Tours

                              Helpful Home Staging Tips for Virtual Tours

                              Ways To Decorate and Design a Lake House

                              Ways To Decorate and Design a Lake House

                              Challenges To Managing a Rental Property

                              Challenges To Managing a Rental Property

                              The Best Landlord: How To Show Tenants You Care

                              The Best Landlord: How To Show Tenants You Care

                              The Best Locations To Invest in a Second Home

                              The Best Locations To Invest in a Second Home

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                              Despite Pharma Claims, Illicit Drug Shipments to US Aren’t Full of Opioids. It’s Generic Viagra.

                              by Staff Writer
                              March 6, 2023
                              in Health
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                              By Phil Galewitz

                              For years, the FDA has defended its efforts to intercept prescription drugs coming from abroad by mail as necessary to keep out dangerous opioids, including fentanyl.

                              The pharmaceutical industry frequently cites such concerns in its battle to stymie numerous proposals in Washington to allow Americans to buy drugs from Canada and other countries where prices are almost always much lower.

                              But the agency’s own data from recent years on its confiscation of packages containing drugs coming through international mail provides scant evidence that a significant number of opioids enters this way. In the two years for which KHN obtained data from the agency, only a tiny fraction of the drugs inspected contained opioids.

                              The overwhelming majority were uncontrolled prescription drugs that people had ordered, presumably because they can’t afford the prices at home.

                              The FDA still stops those drugs, because they lack U.S. labeling and packaging, which federal authorities say ensure they were made under U.S. supervision and tracking.

                              The FDA said it found 33 packages of opioids and no fentanyl sent by mail in 2022 out of nearly 53,000 drug shipments its inspectors examined at international mail facilities. That’s about 0.06% of examined packages.

                              According to a detailed breakdown of drugs intercepted in 2020, the lion’s share of what was intercepted — and most often destroyed — was pharmaceuticals. The No. 1 item was cheap erectile dysfunction pills, like generic Viagra. But there were also prescribed medicines to treat asthma, diabetes, cancer, and HIV.

                              FDA spokesperson Devin Koontz said the figures don’t reflect the full picture because U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the primary screener at the mail facilities.

                              But data obtained from the customs agency shows it likewise found few opioids: Of more than 30,000 drugs it intercepted in 2022 at the international mail facilities, only 111 were fentanyl and 116 were other opioids.

                              On average, Americans pay more than twice the price for exactly the same drugs as people in other countries. In polling, 7% of U.S. adults say they do not take their medicines because they can’t afford them. About 8% admit they or someone else in their household has ordered medicines from overseas to save money, though it is technically illegal in most cases. At least four states — Florida, Colorado, New Hampshire, and New Mexico — have proposed programs that would allow residents to import drugs from Canada.

                              While the FDA has found only a relatively small number of opioids, including fentanyl, in international mail, Congress gave the agency a total of $10 million in 2022 and 2023 to expand efforts to interdict shipments of opioids and other unapproved drugs.

                              “Additional staffing coupled with improved analytical technology and data analytics techniques will allow us to not only examine more packages but will also increase our targeting abilities to ensure we are examining packages with a high probability of containing violative products,” said Dan Solis, assistant commissioner for import operations at the FDA.

                              But drug importation proponents worry the increased inspections targeting opioids will result in more uncontrolled substances being blocked in the mail.

                              “The FDA continues to ask for more and more taxpayer money to stop fentanyl and opioids at international mail facilities, but it appears to be using that money to refuse and destroy an increasing number of regular international prescription drug orders,” said Gabe Levitt, president of PharmacyChecker.com, which accredits foreign online pharmacies that sell medicines to customers in the U.S. and worldwide. “The argument that importing drugs is going to inflame the opioid crisis doesn’t make any sense.”

                              “The nation’s fentanyl import crisis should not be conflated with safe personal drug importation,” Levitt said.

                              He was not surprised at the low number of opioids being sent through the mail: In 2022, an organization he heads called Prescription Justice received 2020 FDA data through a Freedom of Information Act request. It showed that FDA inspectors intercepted 214 packages with opioids and no fentanyl out of roughly 50,000 drug shipments. In contrast, they found nearly 12,000 packages containing erectile dysfunction pills. They also blocked thousands of packages containing prescription medicines to treat a host of other conditions.

                              Over 90% of the drugs found at international mail facilities are destroyed or denied entry into the United States, FDA officials said.

                              In 2019, an FDA document touted the agency’s efforts to stop fentanyl coming into the United States by mail amid efforts to stop other illegal drugs.

                              Levitt was pleased that Congress in December added language to a federal spending bill that he said would refocus the FDA mail inspections. It said the “FDA’s efforts at International Mail Facilities must focus on preventing controlled, counterfeit, or otherwise dangerous pharmaceuticals from entering the United States. Further, funds made available in this Act should prioritize cases in which importation poses a significant threat to public health.”

                              Levitt said the language should shift the FDA from stopping shipments containing drugs for cancer, heart conditions, and erectile dysfunction to blocking controlled substances, including opioids.

                              But the FDA’s Koontz said the language won’t change the type of drugs FDA inspectors examine, because every drug is potentially dangerous. “Importing drugs from abroad simply for cost savings is not a good enough reason to expose yourself to the additional risks,” he said. “The drug may be fine, but we don’t know, so we assume it is not.”

                              He said even drugs that are made in the same manufacturing facilities as drugs intended for sale in the United States can be dangerous because they lack U.S. labeling and packaging that ensure they were made properly and handled within the U.S. supply chain.

                              FDA officials say drugs bought from foreign pharmacies are 10 times as likely to be counterfeit as drugs sold in the United States.

                              To back up that claim, the FDA cites congressional testimony from a former agency official in 2005 who — while working for a drug industry-funded think tank — said between 8% and 10% of the global medicine supply chain is counterfeit.

                              The FDA said it doesn’t have data showing which drugs it finds are unsafe counterfeits and which drugs lack proper labeling or packaging. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection data shows that, among the more than 30,000 drugs it inspected in 2022, it found 365 counterfeits.

                              Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the trade group for the industry, funds a nonprofit advocacy organization called Partnership for Safe Medicines, which has run media campaigns to oppose drug importation efforts with the argument that it would worsen the fentanyl epidemic.

                              Shabbir Safdar, executive director of the Partnership for Safe Medicines, a group funded by U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturers, said he was surprised the amount of fentanyl and opioids found by customs and FDA inspectors in the mail was so low. He said that historically it has been a problem, but he could not provide proof of that claim.

                              He said federal agencies are not inspecting enough packages to get the full picture. “With limited resources we may be getting fooled by the smugglers,” he said. “We need to be inspecting the right 50,000 packages each year.”

                              For decades, millions of Americans seeking to save money have bought drugs from foreign pharmacies, with most sales done online. Although the FDA says people are not allowed to bring prescription drugs into the United States except in rare cases, dozens of cities, county governments, and school districts help their employees buy drugs from abroad.

                              The Trump administration said in 2020 that drugs could be safely imported and opened the door for states to apply to the FDA to start importation programs. But the Biden administration has yet to approve any.

                              A federal judge in February threw out a lawsuit filed by PhRMA and the Partnership for Safe Medicines to block the federal drug importation program, saying it’s unclear when, if ever, the federal government would approve any state programs.

                              Levitt and other importation advocates say the process is often safe largely because the drugs being sold to people with valid prescriptions via international mail are FDA-approved drugs with labeling different from that found at U.S. pharmacies, or foreign versions of FDA-approved drugs made at the same facilities as drugs sold in the U.S. or similarly regulated facilities. Most drugs sold at U.S. pharmacies are already produced abroad.

                              Because of the sheer volume of mail, even as the FDA has stepped up staffing at the mail facilities in recent years, the agency can physically inspect fewer than 1% of packages presumed to contain drugs, FDA officials said.

                              Solis said the agency targets its interdiction efforts to packages from countries from which it believes counterfeit or illegal drugs are more likely to come.

                              Advocates for importation say efforts to block it protect the pharmaceutical industry’s profits and hurt U.S. residents trying to afford their medicines.

                              “We have never seen a rash of deaths or harm from prescription drugs that people bring across the border from verified pharmacies, because these are the same drugs that people buy in American pharmacies,” said Alex Lawson, executive director of Social Security Works, which advocates for lower drug prices. “The pharmaceutical industry is using the FDA to protect their price monopoly to keep their prices high.”

                              This story was produced by KHN (Kaiser Health News), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

                              KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

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                              This story can be republished for free (details).

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