Man Charged With Shipping Mislabeled Drugs as CCP Virus Treatment

Paula Liu
By Paula Liu
April 3, 2020US News
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Man Charged With Shipping Mislabeled Drugs as CCP Virus Treatment
The unapproved treatment allegedly supplied by a British man, who was charged on March 23, 2020. (Courtesy of Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

A British man was charged with smuggling mislabeled drugs claiming to be a treatment for people suffering from the CCP virus, according to a news release issued by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

According to a federal criminal complaint, Frank Richard Ludlow, a 59-year-old man from West Sussex in the United Kingdom, was charged with “one count of introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce,” which is a felony offense. If convicted, Ludlow would serve a maximum of three years in federal prison.

Ludlow is accused of repurposing already existing “Trinity Remedy” kits as “Trinity COVID-19 SARS antipathogenic Treatment” kits, despite the fact that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not approve of them to treat COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus.

The FDA stated that the remedy wasn’t approved for any other use.

Ludlow allegedly smuggled the products from the United Kingdom to the United States by mislabeling the packages that contain the kits, then sending them to individuals from California and Utah.

The kits allegedly contained vitamin C, an enzyme mix, potassium thiocyanate, and hydrogen peroxide, and customers were then instructed to follow directions to treat their disease.

Health officials have stated previously that there isn’t a preventive vaccine or treatment for the CCP virus. They have also stated that no medication can be produced, introduced, or delivered without permission and approval from the FDA.

People who sell treatments claiming to treat certain diseases put the health and safety of citizens at risk, according to Nick Hanna, the U.S. Attorney for the Central California District. Hanna said that authorities will take the necessary actions to investigate such claims and deliver the appropriately penalty to those responsible.

David A. Prince, the Special Agent in Charge for HSI Los Angeles, said that during the pandemic, drugs and medical instruments are being regulated to protect the public.

“Drugs and medical devices are strictly regulated in order to protect the American consumer. Individuals who circumvent those regulations potentially expose patients to unsafe products that could cause serious harm. HSI will continue to target those whose actions put the health and safety of our citizens at risk,” Prince stated.

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