Aurobindo Pharma Issues Voluntary Recall of Irbesartan Drug: FDA

New Delhi: Aurobindo Pharma Limited is voluntarily recalling 22 Batches of the drug substance Irbesartan due to the presence of an impurity, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). The impurity, which is a substance that occurs naturally in certain foods, drinking water, air pollution, and industrial processes, has been classified as a probable human carcinogen as per International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

These 22 batches of Irbesartan drug substance were supplied to ScieGen Pharmaceuticals Inc., the U.S. for the manufacturing of finished Irbesartan drug product.

Aurobindo Pharma Limited has notified ScieGen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. of the recall and is arranging for the return of all available Irbesartan drug substance. Aurobindo Pharma Limited has further advised Sciegen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to contact its distributors and retailers to return Irbesartan drug product and finished Irbesartan tablets that have been identified by Aurobindo Pharma Limited.

Patients should contact their pharmacist or physician who can advise them about an alternative treatment prior to returning their medication. Patients who are on Irbesartan should continue taking their medication, as the risk of harm to a patient’s health may be higher if the treatment is stopped immediately without any alternative treatment. Patients should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using Irbesartan.