August 26, 2009
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today warned diabetic patients that thousands of stolen vials of the long-acting insulin Levemir could still be on the market.
Patients who use any of the 129,000 vials stolen in June could suffer adverse reactions, the FDA warned. Thats because the stolen insulin was not stored and handled properly, according to evidence gathered in the on-going investigation.
The FDA said it has received several reports about patients who suffered adverse reactions from poor control of glucose levels after using one of the stolen vials of Levemir, made by Novo Nordisk Inc.
FDA officials first warned diabetic patients about the insulin theft in June, when it learned that someone had stolen three lots of Levemir -- totaling 129,000 vials -- in North Carolina. Only about two percent of those stolen vials have been recovered, the FDA said.
Until all the stolen insulin is found, the FDA advises patients who use Levemir to:
• Check their supply of insulin to be sure they don't have any of the stolen vials. The stolen Levemir has one of the following lot numbers: XZF0036; XZF0037; XZF0038. Those lot numbers are on the side of the box of insulin or the side of the vial;
• Do not use any Levemir if it from one of the stolen lots. Replace it with a vial from another lot. Patients who switch to another brand of insulin should first contact their physician. Switching to another insulin product may require adjustments in dosing, the FDA said;
• Inspect their insulin before use. Levemir is a clear and colorless solution.
In the meantime, the FDA continues to investigate this theft. The agency asks anyone with information about the stolen vials to contact its Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) at 800-551-3989 or on the OCI's Web site.
