
Senior Manager, IP Enforcement, Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC), U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Published
January 16, 2025
The Chamber recently submitted comments to the International Trade Commission (ITC) on trademark infringements that endanger public safety. These comments supported an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) determination to issue an order against various importers infringing trademarked tirzepatide active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) found in popular weight loss and diabetes drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound. The ALJ decision is the result of an ITC investigation which found various importers falsely advertising medications containing “tirzepatide” and also for designating false product origins.
Fake Medicines, Real Dangers
Illicit pharmaceuticals are a public health crisis. Fake medications often contain harmful substances, incorrect dosages, or no active ingredients at all, putting patients at serious risk. In this case, customers of the various importers found to be illegally advertising tirzepatide medications were injecting themselves with API of unknown or falsified origin, meaning there is no way to verify the safety of the medicines. The Chamber’s believes in the necessity of stringent IP protection to prevent such dangerous products from entering the market and harming consumers. This is particularly true as demand for weight loss and diabetes medications continues to surge due to their proven effectiveness. The Chamber is committed to working with innovators to educate American consumers, law enforcement, and policymakers about the dangers of illicitly sourced medications.
Brand Integrity Matters
It is critically important to protect American IP to the fullest extent of the law in order to ensure a safe marketplace for consumers. Counterfeit goods undermine a company’s brand integrity, damage customer trust, and create uncertainty in the marketplace. The implications of counterfeit medicines are profound. In addition to consumer safety concerns, fake medications undermine research and development investments made by legitimate life science companies, ultimately stifling innovation. The Chamber remains dedicated to working with brands and law enforcement to ensure that consumers receive authentic medications, and that life science innovators can do what they do best: develop the next generation of treatments and cures.
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