Return medicines with Losartan to suppliers, patients told
IPOH: Patients who are taking high blood pressure medication that contains higher than acceptable amounts of nitrosamine impurity, which can potentially cause cancer, should not panic.
They are urged to return the affected medicines to suppliers.
Deputy Health Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye said the ministry had ordered companies that sold a product containing Losartan to discontinue selling and supplying the item, but he believed that there were patients who still had the medicines in their possession.
“The substance in Losartan does not have immediate side effects, but patients should return it to the supplier and they do not have to panic.
“The ministry has recalled all the affected medicines. According to our record, this kind of medicine is no longer in the market unless patients are still keeping them,” he said after launching the state-level World Kidney Day here yesterday.
He said the medicines should be returned to suppliers so that patients could get replacements.
“The ministry is monitoring medicines sold in the market and we are working with foreign agencies to share information.”
The ministry, in a statement on Friday, said the Drug Control Authority had suspended the registration of seven drug products that contained Losartan active ingredients beginning March 7.
The products are Losagen 50, Losagen 100, Losartas 50mg Tablets, Losartas 100mg Tablets, Tozaar Plus LS 50/12.5mg Tablet, Tozaar 50mg Tablet and Tozaar Tablet 100mg.