‘Cancer risk’ blood pill packs recalled
BATCHES of blood pressure pills have been taken off pharmacy shelves over fears they may increase the risk of developing cancer.
Quantities of tablets containing irbesartan, used to treat high blood pressure and cut the risk of strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems, have been recalled by the medicines watchdog.
They might be contaminated with “an impurity that could potentially increase the risk of cancer over time”, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said.
Its chief safety officer, Dr
Alison Cave, called the move precautionary and said patients should not stop taking the drugs without speaking to their doctor. She said: “We’re recalling batches of certain sartan-containing products while we continue our investigation.
“It’s important that healthcare professionals check their stock to quarantine and return these batches.”
The recall follows similar action in 2018, 2019 and June this year.
The MHRA said there was no evidence the issue had caused harm to patients.