The FDA worked with India's government to stop about 500 shipments of illicit, potentially dangerous unapproved prescription drugs and medical devices from entering the U.S., the agency said Feb. 18.
Calling it "Operation Broadsword," the FDA and India's government examined about 800 shipments arriving to the U.S. at the end of January and found that many of them had been shipped through third-party countries to avoid detection.
The shipments contained illicit opioids, counterfeit cancer and HIV drugs and counterfeit medical devices.
"Patients who buy prescription medicines from illegal online pharmacies may be putting their health at risk because the products, while being passed off as authentic, may be counterfeit, contaminated, expired, or otherwise unsafe," the FDA warned.
Read the full news release here.