The Valsartan recall widened last month following updated advice from the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA).
Batches of products containing Valsartan that were supplied by Teva UK Ltd and Mylan are being recalled in the UK. This follows on from a drug alert earlier this year that was issued after the discovery that some Valsartan products were contaminated. Legal cases are already underway, and this latest recall involves further batches of the product.
An immediate suspension and quarantine of the additional affected products has been ordered.
About the Valsartan recall operations across the world
Valsartan recall operations are taking place across the world after dangerous contaminates had been identified in products.
Some of the products have been contaminated by NDMA (nitrosodimethylamine) and NDEA (N‑nitrosodiethylamine). Both are genotoxic with carcinogenic properties.
In other words, they can be very dangerous for humans.
Patients have been asked to stop taking medication from affected batches immediately. There can be serious risks from stopping the medication, so patients are being urged to seek advice as soon as they can. Replacement medication will need to be issued as opposed to stopping the medication altogether.
The UK’s MHRA is said to be working with its European and worldwide counterparts over the Valsartan recall operations.
Valsartan recall operation in UK
The Valsartan recall operation in the UK was a Class 1 medication recall over summer when the issue first emerged. Pharmacists were asked to immediately suspend issuance of the drugs and quarantined affected batches. Suppliers were then to be contacted for replacements.
Since then, investigations into whether the initial Valsartan recall needed to be widened have been taking place. The latest from the MHRA is that the recall has been widened after additional contaminates were identified in further batches.
It does without saying that if anyone suffers as a result of contaminated medication, they must seek medical and legal help immediately.