Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals and several other pharmaceutical companies are facing a potential class action valsartan recall lawsuit filed by a man from Missouri, alleging the medication may have been contaminated with N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA).

The valsartan recall lawsuit alleges that the NDMA contamination rendered the high blood pressure medication worthless, allegedly wasting the claimant’s money and putting him and others at risk for cancer.

Plaintiff James J. filed this valsartan recall lawsuit on behalf of himself and other patients who had purchased the contaminated high blood pressure medication. According to the valsartan recall lawsuit, James had been notified of the valsartan recall on Aug. 3, 2018 when his pharmacy had sent a letter to him explaining the situation.

The letter stated that he may have received a valsartan or valsartan HCTZ that was contaminated with an NDMA substance, with the affected medication stock manufactured by Zhejiang Huhai. The letter also advised James to discuss the potential contamination with his valsartan medication, and get a replacement drug from his medical professional.

James says he and other proposed Class Members suffered economic damages due to having to replace the affected valsartan medication and claim they are now at a higher risk of developing cancer. This means that they will need medical monitoring for some time.

James filed this valsartan recall lawsuit after learning of the full extent of the market withdrawal, and how many patients face an increased risk of cancer.

Overview of Valsartan Recall

Valsartan is a generic prescription drug that is primarily used to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and hypertension to prevent heart attacks and stroke. Valsartan is part of the angiotensin II receptor agonists, which work by reducing the risk of blood vessel constriction and alleviating pressure in the circulation system.

Valsartan can either be purchased on its own or with the diuretic HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide) and has been prescribed to numerous adult and pediatric patients, but the recent global recall has left the medical community wary of the medication.

The FDA announced a voluntary recall of certain valsartan medications on July 13, 2018, stating that these lots of these drugs could contain NDMA.

The FDA stated it was currently working with pharmacists to minimize the risk of contaminated medications being prescribed to patients, including asking them to purge affected medication from their shelves and return them to manufacturers.

According to the United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, the NDMA contamination may have been caused by changes in the manufacturing process at Zhejiang Huahai’s facility in China in 2012. This means that contaminated valsartan may have been on the market for several years.

The contaminated valsartan medications have been reportedly recall in over 20 countries, with the FDA stating that contaminated medication lots are from the following pharmacies in the United States including:

• Major Pharmaceuticals: Valsartan
• Solco Healthcare: Valsartan
• Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd: Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
• Solco Healthcare: Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

It is important to note that not all valsartan medications are affected by the recall, so patients should only be concerned if their specific medication was named in the valsartan recall.

This Valsartan Recall Lawsuit is Case No. 4:18-Cv-01525-Rlw, In The United States District Court of the Eastern District Court of Missouri, Eastern Division.