Health Canada expands recall of some heart, high blood pressure drugs

Health Canada has added eight more products to its recall of certainmedications containing valsartan, a drug used to treat high blood pressure to help prevent heart attacks and stroke. It is also prescribed for some patients who have suffered heart failure or a recent heart attack.

The affected valsartan was manufactured by ZhejiangHuahaiPharmaceuticals in China and may containan impurity calledNDMA(N-nitrosodimethylamine). NDMA is classified as a "probable human carcinogen," meaning scientists believeit could increase the risk of cancerif used above acceptable levels over a long period of time, according to Health Canada.

• Health Canada list of recalled valsartanmedications

There is now a total of 36 valsartan medications on Health Canada's recall list, made by companies including TevaCanada, Sandoz,Sanis, Pro Doc Lteand SivemPharmaceuticals.The initial recall was issued in July.

However, several medications containing valsartan including some made by Sandoz, Sanis and Sivemare not included inthe recall, as the ingredient was not producedat the ZhejiangHuahaifacility.

Health Canada said the recall is a precautionary measure, and that patients taking the affected medications should contact their health-care provider to discuss options, which could include substituting a different valsartanproduct not affected by the recall, or doctors prescribing a different type of medication.

'Don't stop taking medication'

A spokespersonfor the Canadian Pharmacists Association said that while patients may be worried about the recall, they shouldn't stop taking their medication.

"There is concern especially with blood pressure medication," said Phil Emberley, who is also a practising pharmacist. "Don't stop taking your medication without consulting first, because your blood pressure could go up and that could cause a whole host of problems ... blood pressure can lead to a stroke or heart attack."

Emberley said it's important patients check with their health-care provider to determine if the medication they're taking has actually been recalled.

"I think it's important that people are aware about this," said Emberley. "If the medication happens to be recalled, there are other options. There are similar medications in the same class that are going to do the same thing."

Health Canada said it isassessing "how much NDMA patients may have been exposed to and for how long," noting that the agency believes the impurity began occurring whenZhejiangHuahaiPharmaceuticals changed its manufacturing processes in 2012.