As the nation tightens its borders against possible terrorist attacks, it risks undermining those efforts by allowing the importation of non-FDA-approved prescription drugs. This was the conclusion of a report issued by Giuliani Partners, a firm headed by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. “Examination and Assessment of Prescription Drug Importation from Foreign Sources to the United States” was commissioned by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. The report found that the risk of importing drugs far outweighs any benefits and calls on the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a threat and vulnerability assessment.

“We should not contemplate opening our borders to threats to our medicine supply when in all other aspects we’re searching for ways to tighten the security of our borders,” says Giuliani in the report. “Several credible sources have identified links between counterfeit good, including pharmaceuticals, and organized criminals and terrorist groups. It isn’t difficult to imagine a scenario in which terrorist groups could use this system to either finance operations or, worse, as a vehicle of attack.”

Key findings of the report include:

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