FDA declares 40 generics free of carcinogens as 'sartan' recalls continue

As recalls on blood pressure drugs continue to plague drugmakers, the FDA declared a slate of 40 generic pills safe to use. On Thursday, the agency released a list of 40 generic angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) that are free of three potentially carcinogenic compounds linked to various “sartan” drugs, including valsartan and losartan. The FDA launched a global recall in 2018 after a U.S. drug manufacturer found high levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in the valsartan active ingredient it had bought from a Chinese supplier. Since then, the FDA discovered that NDMA, N-Nitroso-N-methyl-4-aminobutyric acid (NMBA) and NDEA—all considered unsafe at certain levels—can be created during sartan drug manufacturing under certain conditions. The first global recall included all non-expired generic valsartan sold by Major Pharmaceuticals, Teva and Huahai’s U.S. subsidiary, Solco Healthcare, as well as valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) made by Teva and Solco.