Product recall issued for pills contaminated by chemical found in rocket fuel
Thousands of pills have been recalled amid fears they may be contaminated with a chemical contained in rocket fuel.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) issued the warning on Thursday for certain products containing irbesartan made by Actavis (now Accord) as a precautionary measure, due to possible N‑nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) contamination.
NDEA is found in liquid rocket fuel.
NHS figures reveal more than two million prescriptions for drugs containing irbesartan were handed out in England in 2017.
The MHRA said there is no evidence the contamination has harmed patients and stressed not all products are affected.
The recall follows a Europe-wide investigation into contamination of sartan products.
Seven batches of the drug, made by Actavis and Dexcel Pharma Ltd, were initially recalled last July across Europe. The US followed two weeks later.
The MHRA issued another recall of more batches of drugs containing valsartan made by Mylan and Teva in November for containing NDEA.
Despite the warning patients have been urged not to stop taking their prescriptions without first consulting their doctor.
Dr Sam Atkinson MHRA’s director of the inspection, enforcement and standards division said: “Our highest priority is making sure the medicines you take are safe.
“Our investigation into potential contamination of sartan containing medicines, including irbesartan, is ongoing.
“At present there is no evidence that medicines containing NDMA or NDEA have caused any harm to patients.
“Because of the risk associated with suddenly stopping high blood pressure medication, people are advised not to stop any treatments without consulting their doctor or pharmacist.”
