More Dey Inhalation Solutions Stolen in Transit

Cheryl A. Thompson

BETHESDA, MD 18 September 2009— FDA yesterday advised the public not to use certain ipratropium bromide and albuterol sulfate inhalation solutions by Dey if purchased after September 8 because the medications might have been in a tractor-trailer that was stolen in Tampa, Florida.

Dey, which issued an advisory late on September 11, said the stolen ipratropium vials were from lots C09119, C09120, and F09089 and the stolen albuterol vials were from lots 9FD8, 9FD9, 9FE1, and 9G04.

But not all vials in those lots are suspect. The company said it sold portions of each lot to customers in the weeks before the September 8 theft.

Dey said it wants distributors and customers to isolate all vials from the seven lots and not dispense, sell, or use them. The company said it has alerted its distributors and customers.

FDA and Dey want people who have information about the theft, have received suspicious or unsolicited offers for ipratropium or albuterol inhalation solutions, or have received vials from any of the seven lots to contact the agency's Office of Criminal Investigations at 800-551-3989. Inquiries for the company should be directed to customer service at 800-527-4278.

The agency, in its announcement, told patients to bring products from the seven lots back to the dispensing pharmacy to exchange for vials from other lots. Alternatively, patients could call Dey customer service.

FDA said it was not aware of any reports of adverse medical events related to the stolen medications.

The September 8 theft of Dey inhalation solutions is the second publicly acknowledged incident in as many months. About a million vials of albuterol inhalation solution were stolen in a cargo theft around August 5.