The FDA approved a new generic of valsartan Feb. 12 to help relieve the shortage of the critical blood pressure drug that resulted from a string of recent recalls.
Since last summer, several drugmakers have recalled their generic valsartan medications after the FDA discovered that some lots of the drug contained a probable human carcinogen.
After the initial recall, the FDA found that other types of generic blood pressure medications containing losartan or irbesartan were tainted with the probable cancer-causing impurities as well.
"We know that the ongoing recalls to prevent certain lots of valsartan that contain unacceptable limits of impurities from reaching patients has resulted in a shortage of these important medicines," said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD.
The FDA prioritized review of the new generic, Diovan, to address the shortage.
Read the full news release here.