Abu Dhabi – A Chinese-manufactured drug used to control blood pressure and help prevent heart failure, has been recalled in the United Arab Emirates
The Ministry of Health and Prevention issued a circular, instructing all agents to take Valsartan off the shelves in precautionary measure instructions after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced that that the drug contained harmful ingredients.
The UAE thus joins many other countries in the world, which received batches of the drug with manufacturing defects, supplied from Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals in Linhai, China
The circular features the names of other types of medication affected by the revocation of Valsartan.
All agents were instructed to withdraw them from the public and private health sector and prohibit the distribution of stocks in their warehouses.
The listed of affected drugs includes CINFAVAL LABORATORIOS CINFA S.A- Spain; CO-CINFAVAL LABORATORIOS CINFA S.A – Spain; DIOSTAR PLUS PHARMA INTERNATIONAL CO. – Jordan; VALDIO™ GLOBALPHARMA The Sanofi CO. LLC- UAE; and VALDIO HCT GLOBALPHARMA The Sanofi CO. LLC- UA.
Patients were urged not to stop taking the drug unless their doctors prescribe alternative medication from other sources.