Blood pressure medicine recall across Europe after cancer-causing contaminants found

Carcinogenic chemicals found in tobacco smoke and used in meat curing introduced to high blood pressure treatments manufactured by Chinese supplier

UK pharmacists have been told to recall batches of blood pressure medications found to contain cancer-causing contaminants, the medicines watchdog has said.

Directions affect thousands of medicines containing a high blood pressure drug manufactured by two companies, Dexcel Pharma Ltd and Accord Healthcare.

Precautionary measures were launched by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) follow a EU-wide recall after impurities were found in sartan-containing medicines manufactured by a Chinese supplier.

They found traces of nitrate chemicals N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), used in bacon and meat curing but known to be toxic to the liver and cancer-causing at higher doses, and N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), one of the carcinogens in tobacco smoke.

The latest recall affects four batches of Irbesartan medications, which pharmacists have been told to remove from sale, quarantine all remaining stock and return to suppliers.

Issues may have arisen when the manufacturer changed their processes about seven years ago, but a cause has not been identified.

The MHRA said there was currently no evidence the medicines had caused harm to patients and urged anyone taking them to speak to their doctor before stopping treatments.

Dr Sam Atkinson, MHRA 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."

He added: “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.”

Additional reporting by PA