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Valsartan Lawsuit

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On July 13, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled Valsartan because they contain the contaminant N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). The FDA noted that Valsartan products pose an unnecessary risk to patients.

Before we get to the 8 things you need to know, let’s get the latest Valsartan lawsuit update for February 2023.

February 2023 Valsartan Lawsuit Update

The Valsartan lawsuits are still moving forward. The Zantac dismissal had many lawyers down on the future of this litigation.  Defense lawyers filed a “look what Judge Rosenberg did” motion.  Plaintiffs weathered all that without incident. So 1,000 Valsartan lawsuits in the MDL class action continue on.

8 Things About Valsartan Recall Lawsuit

There are seven things you should know about this recent recall.

  1. What is NDMA?

NDMA is a contaminant. According to the EPA, it is a semivolatile organic chemical. It can be either naturally occurring or synthetically made. It is not currently produced in the United States. NDMA can be unintentionally produced through chemical reactions, especially those that involve alkylamines. It is also an intended by-product of chlorination of wastewater through the use of chloramines. These chloramines are used to disinfect the water. There is a risk that NDMA is a possible drinking contaminant.

NDMA has been shown to cause cancer in rats and mice through studies that were conducted by several organizations including the National Cancer Institute and the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

NDMA is a byproduct of several industrial processes, including the manufacture of pesticides, rubber, and the treatment of drinking water with chlorine. NDMA can also be found in certain foods, such as cured meats, dairy products, and beer.

The mode of action of NDMA in causing cancer is believed to involve the formation of DNA adducts, which can lead to mutations and the eventual development of cancer. This can occur through the direct interaction of NDMA with DNA or through the metabolic activation of NDMA to a more reactive form.

  1. How harmful is NDMA?

pills-300x217So exactly how harmful is NDMA? Unfortunately, we do not know to answer to this question yet. Studies involving NDMA have shown results that appear inconclusive for now. A Danish study found no short-term risk of cancer in patients using NDMA-containing valsartan. The study focused on a six-year period. However, they felt these results did not necessarily mean that NDMA is completely safe. They note that “assessment of long-term effects was not possible” and that “the low number of events makes interpretation of estimates for single cancer outcomes difficult.” They concluded that further studies are needed to provide better conclusions on NDMA’s effects on the body.

What has a U.S. government agency said on NDMA? According to the CDC, they do not know how harmful NDMA found in water, air, or food is to humans. However, they then mention that “short-term or long-term exposure of animals is also associated with serious effects such as liver disease or death.” This can happen at NDMA levels ranging from 5 to 50 ppm in water and 5 to 100 ppm in food. What this means is there is data that shows that exposure to NDMA can harm other animals. However, there is no known data that shows a significant correlation between NDMA exposure and cancer incidences.

  1. Another harmful contaminant in Valsartan

NDMA is not the only contaminant found in valsartan you should be concerned about. Contaminated valsartan products also contain N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). Like NDMA, NDEA is classified as a possible human carcinogen. You can read more about NDEA’s presence in valsartan by clicking this link.

  1. Manufacturers and distributors of recalled Valsartan

Chinese-based pharmaceutical company Zheijiang Huatai Pharmaceuticals (ZHP) has manufactured much of the recalled Valsartan. They gave them to various distributors throughout the U.S. market. They include Major Pharmaceuticals, Solco Healthcare, and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. You can also find out each distributor by clicking on this link that includes all currently recalled Valsartan.

  1. Not all valsartan products contain NDMA

No, not all valsartan products contained NDMA. NDMA is a contaminant that was found in some valsartan-containing drugs that were manufactured by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals in China. This led to a widespread recall of valsartan products in 2018. It is important to note that not all valsartan products were affected and that many valsartan-containing drugs remain on the market that do not contain NDMA. In response to these concerns, a number of lawsuits have been filed against manufacturers of AFFF, including DuPont, 3M, and Tyco Fire Products, among others. The lawsuits allege that the manufacturers failed to adequately warn about the potential health and environmental risks associated with AFFF and that their products caused harm to individuals and the environment.

  1. What recommendations has the FDA made?

The FDA recommends that patients using recalled valsartan should continue taking their medicine until their doctor or pharmacist has provided a replacement or different treatment option. However, they also recommended that doctors use valsartan not affected by the recall. In addition, they suggested other treatment options. The FDA recommends that healthcare professionals and patients should report any adverse side effects related to valsartan use to the FDA’s Watch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

7. Recent Lawsuits involving Valsartan

As of February 2023, there are over 1,100 lawsuits filed over Valsartan against ZHP and the various distributors of the contaminated valsartan.

8. You Could Have a Legal Claim

If you are one of the thousands of people that have been taking Valsartan to treat high blood pressure or other conditions, you may have been injured by the NDMA contamination. Thousands of lawsuits will probably be filed over the Valsartan contamination.

Is the statute of limitations a concern?  It could be.  Call a lawyer today.  Find out what your rights are.  In February 2023, time is running out.

If you think you may have been harm by contaminated batches of the drug, contact the attorneys at Miller & Zois today. We can help investigate your case and determine whether you might have a valid claim. Call us at 888-322-3010 today or get a free online consultation.