More than 35,000 cartons of albuterol sulfate stolen

FDA requests assistance from pharmacists in tracking down stolen shipment of Dey brand generic albuterol inhalation solution.

FDA announced Monday that 35,760 cartons of Dey brand generic albuterol sulfate inhalation solution had been stolen on approximately August 5, 2009. Each carton contains 30 3-mL single unit-dose vials of 0.083% albuterol sulfate inhalation solution. The stolen cartons are lot numbers 9G01 and 9FE2; the National Drug Code number for these products is 49502-697-29.

FDA is requesting assistance from pharmaceutical drug distributors and pharmacies that may receive offers for these stolen drug products. Every carton of Dey brand generic albuterol sulfate manufactured with the above lot numbers was subject to this theft and was never previously distributed, so none of this product should be in the legitimate pharmaceutical supply chain.

If you receive any offers for or think you may have been sold these stolen drug products, FDA requests that you contact the agency’s Office of Criminal Investigations by calling 800-551-3989 or visiting its website at www.fda.gov/ICECI/criminalinvestigations/ucm123025.htm.

Alex Egervary (aegervary@aphanet.org)
Posted August 12, 2009