Public health alert: Stolen insulin batch of Sanofi may be unsafe for use due to storage risks

The CDSCO has issued a public advisory after a batch of Sanofi’s Lantus SoloStar insulin was stolen during transit from Odisha to Kolkata. Authorities warn that improper storage outside the 2–8°C cold chain could compromise the drug’s safety and efficacy.

Hyderabad: The drug regulatory authorities have issued a public advisory regarding the theft of a batch of life-saving insulin manufactured by Sanofi India Limited.

The regulatory officials are concerned that if the medication is not stored in proper cold chain storage facilities, specifically between 2 degree Celsius and 8 degree Celsius, its quality could be severely compromised, rendering it unsafe for patients.

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The stolen medication, identified as Lantus SoloStar, manufactured by Sanofi, is an insulin injection (Batch No. 5F0347B) that was apparently intercepted by unknown persons during transit from Jagmohanpur, Odisha, while en route to a distribution centre in Kolkata.

Since the medicine is r-DNA origin injectables, any deviation from the required temperature range can directly impact the safety and efficacy of the treatment, CDSCO warned in a notice.

The regulatory authorities have also written to local State drug enforcement agencies, instructing them to maintain vigilance on the market to prevent stolen units from being sold to unsuspecting consumers.

The public was advised to procure this medication only from authorized sources and to always insist on a proper invoice to ensure the product’s legitimacy. Healthcare professionals have also been asked to educate patients on the importance of reporting any adverse drug reactions immediately, the CDSCO said.