For example, in 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned patients about the dangers of unapproved stem cell therapies, which were being marketed as treatments for a range of conditions, including cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis. These therapies, which often involved injecting stem cells into patients’ brains or spinal cords, had no scientific basis and had not been proven to be safe or effective.

The global market for contraband cures is estimated to be in the billions of dollars, with a vast network of smugglers, counterfeiters, and unscrupulous vendors preying on the vulnerable and the desperate. These illicit treatments often originate in countries with lax regulatory environments, where pharmaceuticals can be manufactured and exported with little oversight.

The fight against contraband cures requires a multifaceted approach. Governments and regulatory agencies must work together to shut down illicit supply chains and prosecute those who peddle fake or unapproved treatments. Pharmaceutical companies must also take responsibility for ensuring that their products are safe and effective, and that they are not being diverted into the black market.