HEART TABLET ALERT RECALL
Warning to irish patients over cancer link fears
MEDICATIONS used by around 50,000 Irish people to treat heart conditions and high blood pressure have been recalled over contamination fears.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority said yesterday medicines that contain the active ingredient valsartan were being taken out of circulation as a “precautionary measure”.
Valsartan is sometimes prescribed after a heart attack.
The recall comes after an impurity which may cause cancer was detected at a factory in China.
The plant supplies valsartan for medicines distributed in Europe.
A HPRA statement said: “At present there is no evidence this impurity has caused any harm to patients; however, this recall action is being undertaken as a precautionary measure to prevent any further exposure to the impurity in affected medicines whilst the investigation is ongoing.”
Not all drugs containing valsartan are affected by the recall and those taking the medication are urged not to stop using it but to instead ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice.
The HPRA issued the following guidelines:
■ Patients should not stop taking their treatment abruptly. The health risk of abruptly discontinuing this medicine is higher than any potential risk presented by the impurity.
■ Patients who are taking medicines containing valsartan should, if possible, access the HPRA website at www. hpra.ie where a list of the affected medicines is given, and
■ Patients should contact their pharmacist at an earliest opportunity for further advice.
HPRA chief executive Dr Lorraine Nolan said: “Laboratory testing and risk assessments will provide more information as part of this co-ordinated European approach to establish the possible impact on patients who have been taking these medicines and to ascertain if other products may be impacted.
“At this time, a precautionary recall of implicated products is the most appropriate action to protect patient health.
“We are engaging with healthcare professionals to manage this situation.”
The HPRA added it is informing all stakeholders including the Department of Health, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, the Irish College of General Practitioners and other healthcare professionals about the recall.