The Ministry of Health is assuring the public that Valsartan products in Barbados have not been affected by an international recall.
The popular drug is used to treat high blood pressure, which affects one quarter of Barbadians over the age of 40.
The drug, which belongs to the class angiotensin receptor blocker, has been recalled due to an impurity, which was found in a batch of affected products.
According to the ministry, the list of recalled products has been posted on the websites of regulatory agencies, including the US Food and Drug administration, Health Canada, the Irish Regulatory Authority and the Jamaica Ministry of Health.
The Barbados Drug Service has indicated that no Valsartan products from the contaminated source were officially imported into Barbados. It noted that Valsartan products on the Barbados market are produced by Novartis and Jubilant and are not subject to the recall.
Concerned Barbadians may however call the Barbados Drug Service for further information at 535-4300.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health assures it will continue to follow warnings from international regulatory agencies with respect to any changes in pharmaceutical products to continue to ensure the availability of safe and quality products to the public.(BT/BGIS)
The post Barbados not affected by Valsartan recall appeared first on Barbados Today.