The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has issued a public alert following the theft of multiple temperature-sensitive injectable drugs manufactured by Novo Nordisk. These products, all of rDNA origin, were stolen during transit from the company’s Bhiwandi hub en route to Nagpur, Raipur, Cuttack, and Kolkata.
Why This Matters
The stolen injectables—including Ryzodeg™, Fiasp®, and Wegovy®—require strict cold chain storage between 2°C to 8°C. Any deviation from this range can compromise product integrity and pose serious risks to patient safety.
Who Benefits from This Kind of Theft?
- Grey Market Distributors: Illegally resell compromised drugs at discounted rates, bypassing regulatory oversight.
- Unlicensed Retailers: Stock stolen products without proper cold chain infrastructure, risking patient harm.
- Counterfeit Networks: Use stolen packaging to push fake or adulterated drugs into the supply chain.
These actors profit from low-cost sourcing, while patients unknowingly bear the risk of ineffective or harmful treatment.
Who Should Stay Alert?
| Stakeholder | Why They Must Be Vigilant |
| Doctors & Pharmacists | Risk of prescribing compromised drugs; must verify batch integrity |
| Patients & Caregivers | Should only buy from authorized sources and report suspicious packaging |
| Hospital Procurement Teams | Must audit supply chains and reject unverified consignments |
| Regulatory Authorities | Need to track distribution anomalies and enforce penalties |
| Online Pharmacies | Must validate sourcing and batch traceability before dispatch |
Affected Products & Batches
- Ryzodeg™ FlexTouch® – Batch RT6GY96
- Fiasp® Penfill® – Batch RR726A8
- Fiasp® FlexTouch® – Batch RP5P640
- Wegovy® FlexTouch® (0.25mg, 0.5mg, 1mg) – Batches RP5S232, RP5S233, RP5S210
CDSCO Advisory Highlights
- Report ADRs linked to these batches immediately.
- Avoid purchasing without valid invoice and cold chain assurance.
- State Drug Controllers have been directed to monitor and act under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Patient safety begins with supply chain integrity. Let’s stay informed, vigilant, and proactive.
