Drugs Containing Valsartan Recalled: FDA|用中國致癌原料 千萬顆高血壓藥下架

An ingredient in a high blood pressure drug manufactured in China, Valsartan, may contain carcinogens. The Food and Drug Administration says there are six high blood pressure drugs distributed in Taiwan that contain this ingredient and it has ordered all of them be removed from shelves within a month.


Foreign media outlets are reporting that carcinogens have been found in high blood pressure drug Valsartan manufactured in Zhejiang. According to Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration, Valsartan is found in six high blood pressure drugs available in Taiwan and it has ordered all six to be removed from shelves within a month.

Animal testing has shown that the impurities found could be carcinogenic. The substance has not been tested on humans, so we can't say if they are harmful to humans or not. We have ordered the recall just to be safe.

The FDA says the Valsartan may have been tainted during production. The drugs that have been recalled, which are all manufactured by domestic companies, include Valsart FC tablets from Standard Chemical and Pharmaceutical; Kovan Plus coated tablets from Macro; Valsardin film-coated tablets from Yung Shin Pharmaceutical; and Valen FC tablets from Purzer Pharmaceutical. A total of 10.49 million tablets from 46 batches accounting for 3 percent of high pressure drugs on the market have been recalled.

As a pharmacist practicing in Taipei, I can only say these drugs are not widely prescribed where I work.
The FDA reminds everyone that high blood pressure drugs are prescription medication and patients should not stop taking them without first consulting a doctor.