It has been brought to the attention of the Ministry of Health and Wellness that some batches of Valsartan, a popular drug used to treat high blood pressure, is the subject of an international recall.
The drug, which belongs to the class angiotensin receptor blocker, has been recalled due to an impurity which was found in the recalled products.
Hypertension is a common condition which affects one quarter of our population over the age of 40 years.
The Ministry of Health wants to reassure the public that the Valsartan products on the Barbados market are not affected by the recall. The list of recalled products has been posted on the websites of many regulatory agencies, including the U.S. FDA, 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. The Valsartan products on the Barbados market are produced by Novartis and Jubilant and are not subject to the international recall.
Concerned Barbadians may call the Barbados Drug Service for further information at 535-4300.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness will continue to follow warnings from the 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. (PR)
