The Ministry of Health and Wellness is assuring the public that none of the drugs identified in the December 31 recall of the hypertensive drug, Valsartan, by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is approved by the Barbados Drug Service for sale in Barbados.
The FDA recall is related to the discovery of an impurity believed to increase cancer risk. The branded products recalled are from a specific company and have been identified as Valsartan, Amlodipine-Valsartan and Valsartan hydrochlorothiazide tablets.
The Ministry has made it clear that all brands approved for dispensing in Barbados are FDA-approved and also meet local standards.
Meanwhile, the Barbados Drug Service has recalled another brand of the Valsartan drug, Citron branded Valsartan, along with Indapamide, because of the failure of both tablets to dissolve. This decision was made after testing was carried out by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and is not related to the FDA recall.
Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kenneth George, has advised patients who need further information to consult their medical practitioners.
He assured: “The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue to monitor the FDA drug recalls for all categories of drugs and will make all necessary decisions to protect the health of the Barbadian public.” (BGIS)
