July 2018

FDA Update on Valsartan Recalls: FDA updates both lists of products included in the recall and the list of products NOT included in the recall - Drug Information Update

Today, FDA is updating health care professionals and patients after discovering that several additional companies that repackage drug products are also recalling valsartan-containing products.

FDA has product recall information from three additional repackagers of valsartan-containing products made by Teva Pharmaceuticals and Prinston Pharmaceuticals Inc. – labeled as A-S Medication Solutions LLC, AvKARE and RemedyRepack – and the agency has added them to the recalled products list. Two of these companies, A-S Medication and RemedyRepack, may also distribute valsartan products not affected by the recall. The agency is confirming this information and will provide an update once it is available.

The following additional repackagers are recalling or are expected to recall valsartan-containing products. FDA is working to gather product recall information from these companies and has removed them from the list of products that are not impacted by this recall:

• Bryant Ranch Prepack Inc.
• H. J. Harkins Company Inc. (this company was not originally included on either list)
• Lake Erie Medical, doing business as Quality Care Products LLC
• NuCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
• Northwind Pharmaceuticals
• Proficient Rx

It is possible that not all valsartan-containing products repackaged by these companies are impacted by the recall. FDA continues to evaluate valsartan-containing products and will update the list of products included in the recall and the list of products not included in the recall as more information becomes available.

FDA Updates on Valsartan Recalls

nvestigation ongoing – statement to be updated as more information is available

FDA publishes a list of valsartan-containing products not part of the recall

Update [7/24/2018] FDA is updating health care professionals and consumers on the agency’s progress in responding to the ongoing recalls of valsartan, which is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, due to the presence of NDMA. The agency has posted a list of valsartan-containing products not impacted by this recall. FDA continues to evaluate valsartan-containing products and will update the list of products included in the recall and the list of products not included in the recall as more information becomes available.

Manufacturers of these products often produce multiple dosage strengths, however not all of them are being recalled. FDA recommends health care professionals and patients carefully check these lists. Health care professionals and patients should check this statement frequently for any updates.

FDA reminds consumers to continue taking your current medicine until your doctor or pharmacist gives you a replacement or a different treatment option. Untreated hypertension (high blood pressure) leads to an increase in the risk of heart attacks and stroke. Untreated heart failure increases the risk of hospitalization and death.

Consumers and health care professionals should continue to report any adverse reactions with valsartan-containing products, to the FDA’s MedWatch program to help the agency better understand the scope of the problem:

• Complete and submit the report online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
• Download and complete the appropriate form, then submit it via fax at 1-800-FDA-0178

Update to FDA Announcement Re Voluntary Recall of Several Medicines Containing Valsartan

This press release was updated on July 17, 2018, to add links to the press releases issued by each company, to include information about supplier of the active ingredient and to update the contact information for consumers.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting health care professionals and patients of a voluntary recall of several drug products containing the active ingredient valsartan, used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. This recall is due to an impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which was found in the recalled products. However, not all products containing valsartan are being recalled. NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) based on results from laboratory tests. The presence of NDMA was unexpected and is thought to be related to changes in the way the active substance was manufactured.

The FDA’s review is ongoing and has included investigating the levels of NDMA in the recalled products, assessing the possible effect on patients who have been taking them and what measures can be taken to reduce or eliminate the impurity from future batches produced by the company.

Hospira Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Daptomycin for Injection Lyophilized Powder for Solution, Due to Infusion Reactions

Hospira, Inc., a Pfizer company, is voluntarily recalling 8 lots of Hospira’s Daptomycin for Injection 500 mg, Lyophilized Powder For Solution, Single Dose Vial (NDC 0409-0106-01) to the Hospital/Retail level. The product is being recalled due to adverse event reports indicative of infusion reactions.

Daptomycin for Injection has been associated with reports of adverse events indicative of infusion reactions, including chills, tremor, pyrexia and dyspnea. Other infusion reaction adverse events, that were reported, included events such as tachycardia and blood pressure changes. This recall decision is made out of an abundance of caution for patients while Hospira continues its investigation into the reported infusion reactions.

FDA announces voluntary recall of several medicines containing valsartan following detection of an impurity

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting health care professionals and patients of a voluntary recall of several drug products containing the active ingredient valsartan, used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. This recall is due to an impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which was found in the recalled products. However, not all products containing valsartan are being recalled. NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) based on results from laboratory tests. The presence of NDMA was unexpected and is thought to be related to changes in the way the active substance was manufactured.

The FDA’s review is ongoing and has included investigating the levels of NDMA in the recalled products, assessing the possible effect on patients who have been taking them and what measures can be taken to reduce or eliminate the impurity from future batches produced by the company.

“The FDA is committed to maintaining our gold standard for safety and efficacy. That includes our efforts to ensure the quality of drugs and the safe manner in which they’re manufactured,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “When we identify lapses in the quality of drugs and problems with their manufacturing that have the potential to create risks to patients, we’re committed to taking swift action to alert the public and help facilitate the removal of the products from the market. As we seek the removal of certain drug products today, our drug shortages team is also working hard to ensure patients’ therapeutic needs are met in the United States with an adequate supply of unaffected medications.”

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