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Legacy Pharmaceutical Packaging We will still remember losartan, a medicine for the heart and high blood pressure, that was sent to Kroger Co. pharmacies because it contained a possible carcinogen.

Legacy packages pharmaceutical products in bulk from drug manufacturers and supplies the finished product to retailers such as Kroger Co.

The recalled drug was provided by Torrent Pharmaceuticals, which last week recalled 104 batches of the hypotensive drug containing the nitrosamine impurity, N-nitroso-N-methyl-4-aminobutyric acid or NMBA.

Legacy recalled a batch of 50mg losartan potassium tablets in vials of 30 tablets, in addition to three batches of the same medication that he had recalled in March. Legacy indicated that it would inform distributors and customers of the recall in writing, by explaining how to return the product.

More: FDA Investigates Foreign Factories That Manufactured Drugs Containing Carcinogenic Impurities

The Kroger Co., based in Cincinnati, Ohio, operates 2,270 pharmacies in grocery stores such as Kroger, Harris-Teeter, Fry's, Smith's, etc. The retailer did not immediately answer the questions regarding the recall.

Pharmaceutical companies have recalled hundreds of lots of drugs for blood pressure and heart, valsartan, losartan and irbesartan, since July, after tests had revealed that some versions contained low levels of blood pressure. carcinogenic agents suspected. These drugs are part of a large class called angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), which lower blood pressure by expanding or relaxing blood vessels.

More: Why are blood pressure medications still being recalled? Here is what you need to know.

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration announced that it would allow the shipment of certain batches of losartan, an antihypertensive drug for blood pressure, to pharmacies. The temporary measure is designed to avoid a shortage of essential drugs – the ninth most commonly prescribed drug in the country.

The FDA said it would allow pharmacies to sell products containing a tiny amount of nitrosamine impurities, scientists having decided that it would not increase the risk of cancer. But if consumers are unable to get the drug to treat conditions such as hypertension, heart failure or kidney disease, this could put them at risk.

More: FDA: Carcinogenic substances for high blood pressure have not been detected for four years, cancer risk is low

The temporary FDA measure is supposed to allow consumers to access the drug while manufacturers manufacture batches of losartan that do not contain any impurity.

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