Since 2019, the FDA has reported dozens of drug recalls because of the presence of nitrosamine, a probable carcinogen that largely pulls blood pressure treatments off the market.
Lawsuits against drugmakers have been piling up since the organic compounds, which are commonly found in water and food, caused numerous drug recalls. As the FDA continues to investigate the potential link between nitrosamines and the risk of cancer, some of the first trials are set for 2023, and pharmaceutical companies could end up paying $45 billion.
Here are the six drugs that have been recalled because of nitrosamine impurities in 2022:
1. Viona Pharmaceuticals recalled 23 lots of metformin hydrochloride extended release tablets.
2. Sandoz recalled 13 lots of orphenadrine citrate 100 mg extended release tablets.
3. Pfizer and its subsidiary Greenstone recalled 11 lots of Accuretic (quinapril/hydrochlorothiazide) tablets.
4. Pfizer recalled five lots of hypertension drug Accupril.
5. Aurobindo Pharma USA recalled two lots of quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide tablets.
6. Lupin recalled four lots of quinapril 20 mg and 40 mg tablets.