CBP and FDA Collaborate to Protect Public Health and Safety
Washington, DC - - (April 4, 2019) - - Today, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published the following information:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) leaders signed an agreement today to maximize inspection and detection capabilities in order to prevent illegal and harmful products from entering the U.S. through the nation’s International Mail Facilities (IMFs) and Ports of Entry.
“CBP and FDA have a long history of working jointly to protect the public from illegal or harmful products entering the U.S.,” said U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan. “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, and I would like to thank FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb for strengthening CBP and FDA collaboration during his tenure. His efforts were key to the success of both of our agencies, I look forward to continue to work closely with our partners at the FDA.”
The agreement will enhance CBP’s ability to disrupt illegal supply chains that exploit the international mail environment, including illicit opioid shipments and improve information sharing to increase efficiency, and facilitate mission responsibilities.
“Today’s letter of intent demonstrates the FDA’s ongoing work with CBP and our other federal partners, to ensure that FDA-regulated products imported into the U.S. are safe and otherwise comply with federal law,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D.
“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. In recent years, we’ve committed new resources and have been granted new authorities by Congress to target these violative products and stop them before they’re able to enter our country. 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.”
An additional focus of this effort will be coordinating shared space as well as increased scientific presence at high-risk/high-volume IMF locations, helping to facilitate and support real-time entry decisions and increased data sharing.
There are currently nine IMF locations across the U.S., with one location in Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands respectively and two locations in California. CBP provides security and facilitation operations at 328 ports of entry throughout the country.
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