The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announces that Appco Pharma LLC (Appco) is voluntarily recalling all quantities and lots, within expiry, of Ranitidine Hydrochloride Capsules 150mg and 300mg to the consumer level. Ranitidine Hydrochloride Capsules are being recalled because of the presence or potential presence of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) levels above the acceptable daily intake levels established by the FDA, based on FDA-validated tests. To date, Appco has not received any reports of adverse events related to use of the product as part of this recall. The products subject to recall are packaged in bottles. Please refer to the website in FDA for details of the affected products.
NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) based on results from laboratory tests. NDMA is a known environmental contaminant and found in water and foods, including meats, dairy products, and vegetables.
Please refer to the following website in FDA for details:
http://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/appco-pharma-llc-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-ranitidine-hydrochloride-capsules-150-mg-and-300
In Hong Kong, the above products are not registered pharmaceutical products.
Currently, there are 67 registered pharmaceutical products containing ranitidine in Hong Kong. These products in the forms of oral preparations and injections are controlled as over-the-counter medicines and prescription-only medicines respectively. So far, the Department of Health (DH) has not received any case of adverse drug reaction related to ranitidine.
Related news on the detection of NDMA in ranitidine products was previously issued by various overseas drug regulatory authorities, and was posted on the Drug Office website since 16 Sep 2019, with the latest update posted on 19 Dec 2019. Letters to inform local healthcare professionals were issued by the DH on 18 Sep 2019. The DH has contacted the relevant overseas drug regulatory authorities for further information regarding the detection of NDMA in ranitidine products, and continues to remain vigilant on the update findings and investigation result announced by the authorities for consideration of any action deemed necessary.
The DH has contacted the certificate holders of all registered ranitidine products for follow up on the local impact of the issue; and to provide evidence that NDMA in the products are below the acceptable limit, and samples of ranitidine-containing products have been collected from the market for analysis. When any health risks are posed to the public, a press statement will be issued as soon as possible. The following are the main content of the press statements issued previously:
- On 24 Sep 2019, the DH endorsed a licensed drug wholesaler, GlaxoSmithKline Ltd, to recall all Zantac products (HK-42792, HK-42793, HK-30459, HK-42045) from the Hong Kong market as a precautionary measure due to the presence of NDMA in the products.
- On 25 Sep 2019, the DH endorsed licensed drug wholesalers Hind Wing Co Ltd and Top Harvest Pharmaceuticals Co Ltd to recall Apo-Ranitidine Tablets (HK-42273, HK-41873) and Zantidon Tablets 150mg (HK-64329) respectively.
- On 27 Sep 2019, the DH endorsed licensed drug manufacturer APT Pharma Limited and licensed drug wholesaler Eugenpharm International Limited to recall Amratidine Tablets 150mg (HK-53143) and Peptil H 150 Tablets 150mg (HK-65103) respectively.
- On 30 Sep 2019, the DH endorsed licensed drug wholesaler Vast Resources Pharmaceutical Limited to recall Weidos Tablets 150mg (HK-62210).
- On 11 Oct 2019, the DH endorsed licensed drug wholesaler Hind Wing Co Ltd to recall Epadoren Solution for Injection 50mg/2ml (HK-61752).
- On 1 Nov 2019, the DH endorsed licensed drug wholesaler Welldone Pharmaceuticals Limited to recall 6 ranitidine-containing products: Epirant Tab 150mg (HK-56826), Welldone Ranitidine Tab 150mg (HK-57473), Kin Pak Tab 150mg (HK-56824), Wah Tat Tab 150mg (HK-56823), Super Pro Tab 150mg (HK-56825) and Glo-Tac Tab 150mg (HK-57472).
- On 7 Nov 2019, the DH endorsed licensed drug wholesalers Healthcare Pharmascience Limited, Julius Chen & Co (HK) Limited and Atlantic Pharmaceutical Limited to recall 5 ranitidine-containing products: Raniplex 150 Tablet 150mg (HK-43456), Tupast Tablet 150mg (HK-50378), Wontac Tablet 150mg (HK-60085), Jecefarma Ranitidine Tablet 150mg (HK-64041) and Ratic Tablet 150mg (HK-61083).
- On 12 Nov 2019, the DH endorsed registration certificate holder Medreich Far East Limited to recall Ulticer Tab 150mg (HK-53488).
- On 27 Nov 2019, the DH endorsed drug suppliers Cera Medical Limited and Sincerity (Asia) Company Limited to recall Emtac 150 Tab 150mg (HK-59353) and Ranitid 150 Tab 150mg (HK-59429) respectively.
Patients who are taking ranitidine-containing products should not stop taking the medicines, but should seek advice from their healthcare professionals for proper arrangement, e.g. use of alternative medicines with similar uses.
Ends/Wednesday, Jan 8, 2020
Issued at HKT 16:00
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