Allowing wholesalers, pharmacies and individuals to import prescription drugs would increase law enforcement costs and burdens and open the U.S. drug supply to adulterated and counterfeit drugs, an investigation led by former FBI director Louis Freeh released June 6 indicates (here). The study was requested by the Partnership for Safe Medicines and conducted by Freeh Group International Solutions, a consultancy founded by Freeh in 2007. Drug imports would fuel criminal organization activities and profits, as they could go undetected because of the inability to “sufficiently inspect the volume entering the United States,” the report says. Furthermore, legalized importation would raise serious concerns about the ability of law enforcement to maintain adequate investigation and prosecutorial ability to eliminate criminal enterprises if drug importation were permitted at the consumer, pharmacist or wholesaler level, according to the review. Drug importation would also exacerbate the U.S. opioid crisis at a time when fentanyl and several fentanyl analog-laced counterfeits are being transshipped through Canada and Mexico to the U.S., the report states.
The Federal Communications Commission Office of Engineering and Technology said it will extend through Sept. 30 suspensions of information collection requirements tied to FCC Form 740 and importation of radio frequency devices. The earlier waivers were to expire June 30, OET said. Section 2.1203 of FCC rules says no RF device can be imported unless the importer or “ultimate consignee” declares the device meets the conditions of entry set forth in agency importation rules, and Section 2.1205 addresses the filing of the declaration, OET said. But the requirement is in question, OET said. A pending proposal (see 1508110024) would “update the rules that govern the evaluation and approval of RF devices,” the OET order said (here). “Among the changes being considered by the Commission are proposals to eliminate the requirement to file FCC Form 740 by amending Section 2.1203 and removing Section 2.1205.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration said it intends to temporarily add the synthetic opioid acryl fentanyl to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (here). DEA can issue a final order temporarily adding the substance after a period of 30 days passes. If issued, the final order will take effect immediately and will stay in effect for a maximum of three years, pending completion of a permanent scheduling order.
The International Trade Commission launched an investigation on the economic effects of providing duty-free treatment under NAFTA for currently dutiable imports, following a May 18 request by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the ITC said (here). USTR asked the ITC to consider each article in Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) chapters 1 through 97 “for which tariffs will remain,” taking into account U.S. World Trade Organization commitments. Specifically, USTR requested that the report highlight the probable economic impacts of duty-free NAFTA treatment on consumers and U.S. industries producing like or directly competitive products, the ITC said. Sections of the ITC’s report, which is to be sent to USTR by Aug. 16, relating to advice and assessment of probable economic effects will be classified. The ITC will host a public hearing in connection with the investigation on June 20, and will accept pre-hearing briefs and statements until June 13 and post-hearing briefs until June 26, the ITC said.
The Energy Department seeks input on DOE regulations that should be modified or repealed because they are outdated or unduly burdensome, it said (here). Comments will inform the agency’s implementation of President Donald Trump’s series of deregulatory executive orders, including the two-for-one requirement that agencies repeal two regulations for every new significant regulation issued. Comments are due July 14.
The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) is seeking comments on a request by the government of Bahrain to revise U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement rules of origin for certain knit and woven apparel, the committee said (here). Bahrain submitted a petition on March 23 to add five knit fabrics in Harmonized Tariff Schedule chapter 61, eight woven fabrics in HTS chapter 62, and 22 fabrics classified in HTS headings 6203 and 6204 to the FTA’s short supply list. CITA will accept comments through July 21 on whether the U.S. domestic industry can supply the fabrics in commercial quantities in a timely manner.
The International Trade Commission is reopening its online miscellaneous tariff bill (MTB) portal for 10 days next month to allow additional public comments on petitions the ITC isn’t recommending for inclusion in congressional MTBs, the ITC announced (here). The commission will send a preliminary report to the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees on June 9 regarding its recommendations for MTB tariff preferences. The portal reopens June 12. The ITC can move petitions for goods it designates as "not recommended" in its preliminary report to being "recommended" for tariff benefits in its final report to the congressional committees, as provided for in the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act, an ITC spokeswoman said in an email. The ITC said it will also issue a Federal Register notice formally announcing the opening of the comment period and providing further instructions.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is listing six species of fish as endangered, in a final rule that takes effect June 8 (here). The listing places new import and export restrictions on the daggernose shark (Isogomphodon oxyrhynchus), Brazilian guitarfish (Rhinobatos horkelii), striped smoothhound shark (Mustelus fasciatus), narrownose smoothhound shark (Mustelus schmitti), spiny angelshark (Squatina guggenheim), and Argentine angelshark (Squatina argentina).
The Fish and Wildlife Service recently updated its frequently asked questions document (here) on changes to the protected status of rosewood agreed to by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The agency added information about CITES documents used to export rosewood from India. The listing of most rosewood species in CITES Appendix II took effect Jan. 2, creating new import and export requirements for rosewood products (see 1612280021).
The Drug Enforcement Administration is temporarily adding the synthetic opioid 4-fluoroisobutyryl fentanyl to Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, in a final order (here). The final order takes effect May 3, and will be in effect for up to three years.