CDSCO Issues Alert After Theft of Novo Nordisk Drugs in India

India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has issued a nationwide alert following the theft of multiple batches of critical injectable drugs from Novo Nordisk. The theft, which occurred during transit from the company’s Bhiwandi Hub, has raised significant concerns over product integrity and patient safety due to the drugs’ strict cold-chain requirements.

Theft of High-Value Injectable Products

According to Novo Nordisk, the theft targeted several batches of injectable medications, including both insulin and the weight-loss drug semaglutide (Wegovy). The stolen products, which are rDNA origin injectables, must be stored within a narrow temperature range of 2–8°C to remain effective and safe. Any deviation from this standard could compromise the product’s quality, rendering it potentially harmful or inactive. The stolen batches were on their way to destinations across India, specifically to cities on the “milk route,” including Nagpur, Raipur, Cuttack, and Kolkata. The incident is currently under police investigation.

The affected batches are:

Ryzodeg™ FlexTouch® (Insulin degludec/Insulin Aspart): Batch No. RT6GY96
Fiasp® Penfill® (Insulin Aspart): Batch No. RR726A8
Fiasp® FlexTouch® (Insulin Aspart): Batch No. RP5P640
Wegovy® FlexTouch® (Semaglutide 0.5mg): Batch No. RP5S233
Wegovy® FlexTouch® (Semaglutide 0.25mg): Batch No. RP5S232
Wegovy® FlexTouch® (Semaglutide 1mg): Batch No. RP5S210

Official Advisory and Precautionary Measures

In response to the theft, CDSCO has mobilized state and Union Territory Drug Controllers, along with its own zonal offices, to conduct heightened surveillance. This advisory aims to prevent the entry of the stolen drugs into the legal supply chain and ensure public health is not compromised.

For Healthcare Professionals: Doctors and other healthcare providers are urged to be vigilant and confirm the authenticity of the products they prescribe. They should also counsel patients to be alert to any unexpected side effects or lack of efficacy and to report any adverse drug reactions (ADRs) immediately.
For Patients and Consumers: The public is strongly advised to exercise extreme caution. Consumers should only purchase these medications from authorized and reputable pharmacies and must insist on a proper invoice. The risk associated with purchasing these temperature-sensitive products from unauthorized sources is high, as the drugs may have been exposed to conditions that could render them unsafe for use.
For Regulatory Bodies: All relevant regulatory authorities have been instructed to monitor the circulation of these specific batch numbers closely and to take swift action under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, if any of the stolen products are found. The collective effort aims to safeguard patients and uphold the integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain.