US import lines of FDA-regulated products grew annually by 13%, from 7.9 million in 2002 to 18.5 million in 2009, according to the FDA’s “Pathway to Global Product Safety and Quality” report. Between 2002 and 2009, the compound annual growth rates for imported FDA-regulated foods, drugs, medical devices, veterinary products and biologics were 9.5%, 12.9%, 20.8%, 6.7% and 15.8%, respectively. Currently, imports comprise 10% to 15% of all food eaten in the US, 50% of US-sold medical devices and 80% of active drug ingredients in medications sold in the US. Ten years ago, there were 6 million shipments of imports; in 2011, the number is expected to reach 24 million. FDA-regulated imports are slated to grow 15% between 2007 and 2015. Imports have led to cases of contaminated and low-quality products. The FDA plans to combat this challenge by creating a global operating model based on partnerships with foreign regulators, a worldwide data information system, intelligence gathering and the allocation of resources in combination with private parties.

Source: FDA