Insulin maker warns about stolen medicine

updated 9:32 a.m. ET June 15, 2009

PRINCETON, N.J. - Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk said Saturday that a batch of insulin stolen from North Carolina resurfaced recently at a medical center in Houston and should not be used.

The company warned diabetes patients who may have received the stolen insulin, marketed under brand name Levemir, that it may not have been stored properly.

One woman who used the stolen medicine reported that it didn't work, said FDA spokeswoman Judy Leon.

The three batches of stolen product had the lot numbers XZZF0036, XZF0037 and XZF0038, which can be found on the side of the box or vial. Novo Nordisk said patients who find insulin with those lot numbers should call its customer care center at 1-800-727-6500.

The matter is under criminal investigation by federal authorities.

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