Florida Businessman Sentenced in Counterfeit Drug Distribution Case

April 12, 2016

A Tampa Federal court has sentenced Robert Lohr to 21 months in federal prison for conspiracy to smuggle misbranded and counterfeit drugs into the United States. He was also required to forfeit over $900,000 in profits. He had pleaded guilty in January. Lohr operated a business called “Canadian American Drug Club” or “American Drug Club of Bradenton.” He sold prescription drugs that were illegally smuggled into the United States. Lohr was not licensed as a pharmacist, a drug importer, or drug wholesaler. Neither was American Drug Club a licensed pharmacy or licensed drug importer or wholesaler.

Who: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Food and Drug Administration.

When: April 12, 2016, July 2009 – September 2015.

Where: Bradenton, Florida

How: Immigration and Customs Enforcement undercover investigation

Additional details: He sold and distributed illegally smuggled prescription drugs that he claimed were herbal treatments. Prescriptions for Viagra and Cialis were filled and mailed from the business, along with counterfeit drugs made in China. Other prescription drugs, such as Achiphex and Lipitor, were filled by foreign pharmacies with foreign drugs, which had been approved for the U.S. market. Lohr also sold several herbal Viagra products, without prescriptions, that had been illegally smuggled from China.

“Bradenton man sentenced to prison for selling counterfeit, unapproved and misbranded drugs,” Bradenton, Herald, April 12, 2016

“Bradenton Man Heading To Federal Prison For Smuggling Prescription Drugs,” Sun Coast News Network, January 28, 2016

“ Bradenton man, 72, found guilty of making $1.1M from drug fraud, smuggling,” Bradenton Herald, January 27, 2016

“ Bradenton Man Pleads Guilty To Selling Counterfeit, Unapproved, And Misbranded Drugs,” DOJ, January 27, 2016