Pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline has recalled all of its Zantac products across the world amid fears they may be unsafe.The pills may contain traces of NDMA, or N-nitrosodimethylamine, a chemical that is believed to be 'probably carcinogenic' to humans.GSK has already pulled its common heartburn drug from shelves in Ireland, India and Hong Kong in separate moves as far back as two weeks ago.It is currently unclear why it has taken longer for GSK to recall Zantac from the other countries that it markets in, including the UK.GSK does not sell its drug in the US, where retailers such as CVS and Walmart have already chosen to pull ranitidine from their shelves over the same safety fears.Other ranitidine products are still available in both the UK and US because neither country has issued formal recalls of the entire drug supply, instead they have just issued alerts about drastic moves made by firms such as GSK.The GSK recall has sparked panic among patients taking the common heartburn drugs, including one new mother who said she was ‘freaking out’.After the FDA discovered trace amounts of a carcinogen in Zantac's active ingredient, ranitidine, CVS said Saturday it would suspend sales of the popular heartburn drugs (file)GSK's stock appears to have been unaffected by the announcement of the company.
Shares in the pharmaceutical giant were priced at 1,720.40 on the London Stock Exchange this afternoon, up 0.43 per centA GSK spokesperson said: 'GSK has made the decision to initiate a voluntary recall of Zantac products in all markets as a precautionary action. 'Mother Kim was also taking the drugs during her two pregnancies and admitted she was scared about the news they may cause cancerCourtney revealed her daughter was prescribed the heartburn drug and used it regularly as a baby Similarly, Amanda Weaver's daughter took liquid Zantac - one of the products recalled in the UK - for her first year of lifeNews of the mass recall sent former and current users of the common heartburn drugs into a state of panic.Mothers who had been prescribed Zantac while pregnant took to Twitter to raise their fears.
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We are no longer accepting comments on this article.Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media GroupTreat yourself to offers on make-up and accessoriesHolland and Barrett - Holland and Barrett promotionsNFL stars' risk of developing the degenerative brain disease...Babies born to women who are stressed during pregnancy have...Ebola fears in SWEDEN as patient is rushed to hospital with...Horse-rider, 15, who was left with half her jaw hanging off...Online pharmacy Valisure detects NDMA in some batches of Zantac and tells the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)GlaxoSmithKline recalls four different types of Zantac in Hong Kong.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which polices the safety of drugs in the UK, has advised patients continue to take the prescribed drugs.It said people should only stop if told to do so by their doctor. Plaintiffs’ lawyers are pushing like crazy for them, including our law firm. Canadian chiefs reveal Apotex Inc, Pro Doc Limitée, Sanis Health Inc and Sivem Pharmaceuticals ULC are all recalling their ranitidine drugsThe body mirrored the statement from the US-based FDA that said patients taking affected drugs should talk to their doctor before stopping them.The NHS says acid reflux, which causes heartburn, raises the chances of developing oesophageal cancer – but admits the risk is small.Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA’s Centre for Drug Evaluation and Research, said the agency would keep the public information of any other recalls and potential risks.The four UK products affected by the GSK recall are Zantac 150mg/10ml Syrup, Zantac 50mg/2ml Injection, Zantac 150mg Tablets and Zantac 300mg Tablets.Over-the-counter versions Zantac 75 Relief and Zantac 75 Tablets are produced by Omega Pharma, based in Ireland and the US, and are not affected by this recall.However, two other over-the-counter Zantac products made by different companies were not affected, the MHRA revealed in a health alert.The body said companies had all been told to stop supplying the affected Zantac products immediately and quarantine all remaining stock.Dr Andrew Gray, MHRA's deputy director of inspections, enforcement and standards, said: 'Whilst this action is precautionary, the MHRA takes patient safety very seriously.