Brian Burns August 6, 2025 3:14 pm
New Polls Reveal Overwhelming Support for Stronger FDA Enforcement Amid Warnings Over Counterfeit Medications
A wave of public alarm over counterfeit and dangerous foreign-made prescription drugs, particularly from China, has reached new heights, according to a recent national poll. This concern has been particularly acute in Florida, where state lawmakers and medical experts are sounding the alarm about a flood of illicit anti-obesity drugs that pose a growing risk to residents, especially the elderly and those with chronic illnesses.
A July poll by Fabrizio Ward for Rx Border Defense highlights the depth of these anxieties. The data shows that 92% of Trump voters and 79% of all registered voters want the FDA to increase its efforts to protect Americans from unsafe prescription drugs sourced from overseas.
READ: FDA Warns Against Unapproved, Compounded GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs
A staggering 94% of respondents support mandatory country-of-origin labeling for medications, with a notable lack of trust in Chinese-made drugs. Only 31% of Trump voters said they trust drugs from China, compared to 82% who trust those made in the U.S.
The issue isn’t just theoretical. There have been real-world cases in Florida and across the country where patients have suffered severe adverse reactions, including hospitalizations and even fatalities, after using counterfeit or poorly compounded injectable obesity medications. Unregulated online sellers and rogue pharmacies have exploited the high demand for drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, pushing illicit products to vulnerable Americans.
Lawmakers in Washington are taking notice. A bipartisan group of Florida legislators, including Dr. Neal Dunn, Vern Buchanan, Gus Bilirakis, Kat Cammack, Greg Steube, Laurel Lee, and Aaron Bean, recently sent a letter to the FDA urging stronger enforcement.
READ: Beware The Imitation: The Growing Danger of Counterfeit And Compounded GLP-1 Medications
The letter highlighted that at least 239 shipments of unregulated drug ingredients from uninspected Chinese suppliers have entered the U.S., with Florida frequently cited as a major destination. These illegal shipments have been intercepted disguised as common goods like tea, pet food, or t-shirts.
The polling data also reveals broad, bipartisan agreement on the issue:
Border Security: 88% of Trump voters and 84% of all voters agree that the U.S. border isn’t secure until the flow of illicit drug ingredients is stopped.
Compounding: 67% of Trump voters oppose expanding drug compounding beyond narrow exceptions, even during drug shortages.
Online Pharmacies: Only 41% of Trump voters trust online pharmacies to sell legitimate, FDA-approved drugs.
“The safety of American patients is under attack from unregulated foreign drug factories, shady online pharmacies, and unchecked compounders operating outside the law,” said Raul Lopez, a board member of Rx Border Defense. “Americans are sending a clear message: they want to stop the dangerous flow of counterfeit drugs, manufacture essential medications here at home, and hold violators accountable.”
With the FDA’s response deadline looming and public trust in current safeguards at a low, Florida’s congressional delegation, supported by strong voter sentiment, is pushing for robust enforcement at ports of entry, stricter scrutiny of online sales, and criminal penalties for those who endanger U.S. patients. RELATED: Florida, Michigan Lawmakers Lead Charge To Secure America’s Medicine Cabinet, Cut China Reliance
Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) has also called the reliance on Chinese-made pharmaceuticals a national security threat, adding a powerful voice to the growing chorus of concern.
Read at Tampa Free Press
https://www.tampafp.com/voters-demand-action-as-florida-lawmakers-flag-unsafe-drug-imports-from-china/