Patients who have taken Valsartan and have been diagnosed with cancer, as a result, should read on to learn more about how they can hold the drug makers accountable.
Valsartan has been recalled due to possible nitrosamine contamination. Nitrosamines can cause tumors in the liver and other organs in lab animals and are thought to be carcinogenic in humans as well. It is believed that these blood pressure drugs were tainted during flawed manufacturing processes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration stated that these contaminants “are of special concern to global regulators because, unlike most impurities in drugs, they have the potential to cause harm at very low levels.”
The recalls began in July when the FDA found that some Valsartan products contained a potentially cancer-causing chemical. European regulators had already made the same discovery. The substance can form during manufacturing if the chemical reactions used to make the drug are not carefully controlled and monitored, the FDA said.
Valsartan is made by Chinese manufacturer Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals. These recalls are a product of greater FDA scrutiny of foreign drug imports, but FDA warnings alone will not ensure safe medications. In a culture where the profit motive exists, drug companies must be held accountable to cutting corners and sacrificing consumer safety.
Valsartan Cancer Lawsuits Filed Over These Possible Side Effects
In addition to cancer, sources say these drugs carry the risk of:
- kidney failure,
- liver failure,
- a lowered white blood cell count, and
- angioedema, the swelling of certain tissues in the body.
This medication has been associated with birth defects and should not be taken by pregnant women for this reason. (Consult your physician for more information.)