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CBP seizes 360 unauthorized pills falsely marketed to treat COVID-19

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Seattle seized this shipment of unauthorized COVID-19 medication Wednesday. Photo courtesy of CBP
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Seattle seized this shipment of unauthorized COVID-19 medication Wednesday. Photo courtesy of CBP

May 28 (UPI) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Thursday that it has seized 360 pills falsely marketed for COVID-19 treatment.

Seattle officers seized the unauthorized influenza treatments being marketed as a COVID-19 treatment under false claims at the Port of Seattle Wednesday, according to a CBP statement.

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The seizure was part of their work to enforce U.S. Food and Drug Administration statutes, which include preventing false medical treatments that could harm consumers.

"We show vigilance in carrying out our mission to protect the American public, whether it be terrorist weapons or dangerous medications," Seattle Area Port Director Clay Thomas said in the statement. "The men and women of CBP value our enforcement partnerships and are proud to work with the dedicated FDA team to further protect the public."

The move comes on the heels of a state official cracking down on another false marketing claim.

Last month, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson warned Seattle scientist and entrepreneur Johnny Stine in a cease-and-desist letter of potential lawsuits for "making false and unsupported claims" to mislead the public to believe that a COVID-19 vaccine exists when it doesn't yet.

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As of May 7, the Federal Trade Commission has sent more than 120 warning letters to companies and individuals across the country for marketing unsubstantiated COVID-19 prevention or treatment therapies.

Scenes from a pandemic: World copes with COVID-19

A health worker with the Israeli national emergency service, Magen David Adam, wears protective gear while taking swabs to test for COVID-19 at a drive-through testing center in East Jerusalem on August 26. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License Photo

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