Nationwide health alert issued after theft of Novo Nordisk’s insulin and Wegovy injections in transit
These injectables are to be stored under cold-chain conditions of 2–8 degrees Celsius; any lapse in storage or temperature control could severely compromise product quality and pose risks to patient safety
PTC Web Desk: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on Thursday issued a nationwide health alert after several batches of insulin and Wegovy injections manufactured by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk were reported stolen during transit in Maharashtra.
According to the regulator’s notice, the consignments went missing while being transported from Novo Nordisk’s Bhiwandi hub to distribution points across Nagpur, Raipur, Cuttack, and Kolkata. The stolen stock includes multiple insulin brands marketed as Ryzodeg FlexTouch and Fiasp (both Penfill and FlexTouch formats), along with three dosage variants of Wegovy (0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, and 1 mg), a weight-loss drug recently introduced in the Indian market in late June. Authorities have confirmed that the matter is under active police investigation.
The CDSCO highlighted that these medicines are recombinant DNA (rDNA) origin injectables which must be stored under strict cold-chain conditions of 2–8 degrees Celsius. Any lapse in storage or temperature control could severely compromise product quality and pose risks to patient safety.
“The quality of the products may be compromised if they are not maintained at 2–8°C. Any deviation in storage conditions may directly impact the safety of patients,” the regulator’s alert stated.
In its advisory, CDSCO instructed state drug controllers to keep a close watch on the movement and sale of these medicines. They have been directed to initiate strict enforcement measures under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 against unauthorised distribution.
Healthcare professionals have been urged to guide patients to purchase only from licensed suppliers with valid invoices and to immediately report any adverse effects linked to insulin or Wegovy use.
The regulator reiterated its warning to patients: “Be cautious and procure the above products only from authorized sources with proper documentation.”
While Novo Nordisk’s insulin products are widely used in India, Wegovy—its globally popular obesity treatment injection—entered the Indian market only two months ago. The theft, therefore, raises significant concerns for both patients and healthcare providers given the growing demand for the drug.