The Ministry of Health recalls some drugs for hypertension

Dubai: The Ministry of Health and Prevention issued a circular ordering the recall of certain drugs against hypertension containing the active ingredient Valsartan

The ministry said that the action of the Ministry was following a report from the European Medicines Agency indicating a contamination of the active ingredient by the N -Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). ), a chemical that can cause cancer.

Valsartan is used in the treatment of hypertension to prevent related cardiovascular complications.

The circular addresses the directors of medical districts, public and private hospitals, doctors, pharmacists and pharmacists and directors of government and private pharmacies.

The reca Any order was sent to authorized agents and distributors of the recalled products with the order to quarantine all quantities of products in their warehouses. He also ordered that all practitioners and doctors should not prescribe or dispense the affected products and also advises patients not to stop using the drug unless they consult the doctor to prescribe any drugs. 39, other alternatives registered with the ministry.

explained that other drugs, which are made using the same active ingredient from other sources, are safe to use.

Novartis, a Swiss pharmaceutical multinational, informed the department that their products containing Valsartan-Diovan, Co-Diovan Entresto and Exforge impacted because these products do not contain Valsartan from an external supplier. The active ingredient was manufactured at a Novartis site in Ireland and Switzerland.

The recall was issued after senior ministry officials reviewed Ministerial Resolution No. 366 of 2010 governing the withdrawal, suspension or prevention of the distribution of pharmaceutical and medical products. public health. The circular includes a list of affected products that have been registered with the Ministry's Department of Drugs.