Cancer-causing chemicals spark FOURTH recall of blood pressure and heart attack drugs over contamination fears

THOUSANDS of heart patients are being told to check their medication over fears the drugs could contain cancer-causing chemicals.

Pharmacies across the country are being advised to recall three batches of the drug Lorsartan.

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It is the fourth recall of its kind, since the start of the year and is part of an ongoing investigation.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said there are concerns the drug could contain cancer-causing chemicals.

Three more batches have been recalled today, weeks after three batches of irbesartan supplied by Actavis were recalled.

In January, the same drug supplied by Accord and Dexcel were recalled, and more batches from Macleods Pharma UK were affected.

Today’s recall affects batches made by Accord Healthcare Limited, the MHRA said.

Don’t stop taking drugs, but see your GP – patients told

The advice to patients is not to stop their medication, as that could put lives at risk.

But people are being urged to see their GP if they think they are at risk.

There is no evidence that the medication has caused harm to patients, the MHRA stressed.

Bernadette Sinclair-Jenkins, MHRA’s manager, said: “Our priority as regulator is to make sure the medicines you and your family take are effective and acceptably safe.

“This recall shows we are continuing to investigate potential contamination of sartan containing medicines.

“Because of the risk associated with suddenly stopping high blood pressure medication, continue to take your medicines as prescribed by your doctor.

“Please speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns.”

Drugs that treat high blood pressure, heart attack and heart failure

Sartans are a class of medications used to treat high blood pressure, heart attack and heart failure.

It follows an earlier recall of heart medications Dexcel and Actavis in July and Mylan and Teva in November, which contained the same chemical.

The recall occurred across Europe and came after an urgent investigation was launched in to medicines containing another sartan drug, valsartan, produced at a facility in China.

Drugs are being recalled across Europe, as experts fear impurities (N-nitrosodimethylamine and N-nitrosodiethylamine), which could be carcinogenic, could be found in the drugs as a result of a change in the manufacturing process.

“Currently there is no evidence that medicines containing NDMA or NDEA have caused any harm to patients and this recall is a precautionary measure,” Ms Sinclair-Jenkins added.

The European Medicines Agency and other EU regulators are working together to investigate how widespread the problem is, and the possible impact for patients.

Getty – Contributor