By Minyvonne
Burke
Pfizer, the pharmaceutical company responsible for creating one of the COVID-19 vaccines, has recalled some batches of its high blood pressure drug for containing high levels of nitrosamines, which can lead to an increased risk of cancer.
The company announced a nationwide recall on Monday and said it would take six batches of
Accuretic
pills off the market .
It also withdrew generic drugs that are distributed by the Greenstone company directly to the patient: one batch of quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide tablets, and four batches of quinapril HCl/hydrochlorothiazide tablets.
Pfizer said the recalled drugs contain higher levels of nitrosamines than the body tolerates on a daily basis.Getty Images
Pfizer said that nitrosamines are found in food and water, including grilled and processed meats, dairy products and vegetables.
But he discovered that
his medication contained levels of nitrosamines above the acceptable daily intake level.
"Pfizer places the utmost emphasis on patient safety and product quality at every step of the manufacturing process and supply chain," the company said in a statement.
"Pfizer has notified direct distributors to arrange for the return of any recalled products."
[Some Jergens creams are withdrawn from the market due to possible contamination with bacteria]
The batches were shipped nationwide from November 2019 through March 2022. The drugmaker said it was not aware of any reports of adverse events related to the recall and that the Food and Drug Administration was aware of the situation.
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"The products have a safety profile that has been established through 20 years of marketing authorization and through a robust clinical program," the company added.
"Pfizer believes that the benefit/risk profile of the products remains positive based on currently available data. Although long-term ingestion of N-nitroso-quinapril may be associated with a possible increased risk of cancer in humans humans, there is no immediate risk to patients taking this drug.
People who have been taking the drug should talk to their doctor about other options.