UAE recalls some hypertension medicines over cancer fears

Abu Dhabi - The recall comes after the detection of impurities in it.

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (Mohap) has ordered the recall of some antihypertensive medicines containing the active substance valsartan that is supplied by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals, a company in Linhai, China. The recall comes after the detection of impurities in it.

This recall is a precautionary measure taken by the ministry following a report issued by the European Medicines Agency indicating the detection of a contamination of the active ingredient with N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a chemical that might lead to cancer.
Valsartan is a medicine used for the treatment of hypertension to prevent related cardiovascular complications.
The Mohap explained that other medicines containing Valsartan manufactured using the same active ingredient from other sources are safe to use.
Swiss multinational pharmaceutical compaany Novartis informed the ministry that their products containing Valsartan - Diovan, Co-Diovan Entresto and Exforge - are not impacted because these products do not contain the active ingredient from an external supplier.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE