On the recordJune 26, 2012
Large-scale medical product theft is a significant problem in today's society. Medical products require special care and maintenance. When medical products are stolen, thieves resell them. When these drugs are not stored or handled properly, they can lose their effectiveness and cause further injury to medical patients. Current law does not recognize the added importance of medical products. These products are often essential to a person's health and can be lifesaving. Under federal law, those who steal a truck full of insulin intended for diabetics would be sentenced to the same extent as those who steal a truck full of car tires. In 2009, an organized ring of criminals stole 129,000 vials of insulin worth approximately $11 million in North Carolina. A few months later, the FDA received a report that some of the vials had been reintroduced into the supply chain when a diabetic patient reported to a medical center in Houston, Texas, with an adverse reaction after use of insulin from the stolen lot. The FDA issued a warning that the insulin had likely not been kept refrigerated correctly and could still be in the market. The spoiled product was ultimately found in pharmacies in 17 states. At least 2 additional patients experienced adverse reactions. While some arrests have been made, over 125,000 vials of insulin still remain unaccounted for.…
