NDMA
Blood pressure medications containing the active ingredient valsartan are being immediately withdrawn from the market and recalled. Tests have determined that the active ingredient is contaminated with NDMA. The cause of the contamination is still unclear; it is suspected to be due to a change in the production process.
All of Europe
The drug recall is taking place not only in Germany, but in a total of 22 European countries. These include: Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Belgium, France, Poland, Croatia, Italy, Lithuania, Greece, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bahrain, Malta, Spain, Ireland, and Bulgaria. A total of 2,300 batches of the drugs, supplied by the Chinese manufacturer Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals, are being recalled.
, a carcinogen. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is now investigating the extent of the contamination. Although NDMA can cause tumors in the liver, kidneys, and respiratory tract, the amount is crucial. Given the amount found in the medications, the increased risk of cancer is only slight. Have you been taking these blood pressure medications? If so, you should under no circumstances stop taking them abruptly. Experts now strongly advise against this. Instead, see your doctor and discuss possible alternatives. You can also seek advice at the pharmacy and find out about current recalls.
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