Egypt's consumer protection agency issued a warning in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, cautioning citizens against using 14 types of blood pressure drug, since they contain an ingredient that may cause cancer, according to a statement by the consumer protection agency. Head of the consumer agency Rady Abdel Moaty said that the Egyptian Pharmacists Syndicate had previously issued a warning to all doctors against using any of the mentioned drugs. The 14 drugs have been assessed as containing an excessive dosage of the active ingredient in "valsartan," which is known to be a generic agent used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. The substance used in valsartan is normally only used in limited proportions. Valesartan, manufactured by a Chinese company, has been produced with higher than normal proportions of the substance according to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), causing an impurity in 14 blood pressure drugs which pose a potential cancer risk. EMA is an agency of the European Union responsible for the scientific evaluation, supervision and safety monitoring of medicines. According to an earlier notice issued by the Egyptian Health Ministry the 14 drugs are named as follows: 1. Valsarcard 80mg tab
5. Pressthioval tab
8. Disartan 80mg cap
12. Amilo Plus tab
2. Valsarcard Comb 80/12.5mg tab
6. Zarlodip tab
9. Disartan Co 80mg cap
13. Blokatens 5/160mg tab
3. Valsarcard Comb 160/12.5mg tab
7. Alkapress Plus 5/160mg F.C. tab
10. Disartan 160mg cap
14. Blokatens 10/160mg tab
4. Elimolivan 5/160mg tab
11. Disartan Co 160mg cap
Abdel Moaty says that the consumer protection authority has contacted all representatives of the pharmaceutical companies producing these drugs, instructing them to withdraw all of them from pharmacies immediately. He stressed that the system would take the necessary action in cooperation with other regulatory bodies to ensure that companies would comply with the withdrawal of the drugs. He pointed out that consumer protection campaigns will increase during the coming period to control the markets and ensure the safety of citizens.
