GlaxoSmithKline said today that more than 25,000 Advair inhalers had been stolen from a warehouse in Richmond, Va.
The inhalers, which contain medication used by asthma sufferers, were taken from a distribution facility on Aug. 2 before they could be shipped out to pharmacies.
The pharmaceutical company, which makes Advair at its Zebulon plant, is advising that the medicine could present a health risk since it had been removed from the legitimate supply chain and optimum storage conditions.
The lot numbers and quantities of the Advair stolen are:
Lot 9ZP2255 — NDC 0173-0696-00, Advair Diskus 250/50, 60 Dose
Lot 9ZP3325 — NDC 0173-0697-00, Advair Diskus 500/50, 60 Dose
GSK officials are asking anyone who has information on the theft or who has received suspicious or unsolicited offers for the Advair lots in question to contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Office of Criminal Investigations at 1-800-551-3989.
Patients or pharmacists with questions should call GSK’s Customer Response Center at 1-888-825-5249.
Mary Cornatzer has worked at The News & Observer for more than 25 years, covering the local music industry, state movie industry and travel. She has been the paper's Business editor since 2000. Contact Mary at 919-829-4755 or 
