Drug manufacturers need to maintain sanitary and immaculate environments to produce sterile products. These companies must practice the utmost care when handling drugs to ensure the safety of the public, which should be their first priority. Recently, several pharmaceutical companies distributed Valsartan contaminated with carcinogenic chemicals. If you took Valsartan and subsequently developed an illness or injury, reach out today to learn about how a Valsartan lawsuit lawyer can help you.
Our law firm is currently handling lawsuits on behalf of individuals who suffered injuries after receiving Valsartan. Lawsuits against the manufacturers of Valsartan claim that patients taking contaminated batches of Valsartan to treat high blood pressure may develop cancer.
Valsartan is an antihypertensive drug used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and type II diabetes. Individuals take it orally, and the specific dosage depends on the patient’s condition. Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) and works to relax the blood vessels to allow blood to flow more easily. It does so by blocking a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to constrict. Doctors prescribe Valsartan to lower high blood pressure to prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. As Valsartan reduces high blood pressure, the heart will receive more blood and oxygen so that it may function better.
On July 13, 2018, the FDA warned the public about a voluntary recall of several medications containing Valsartan. Drug manufacturers identified the chemicals N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in Valsartan medications. Studies have shown that these chemicals cause cancer in animals and suggest that they may produce similar cancer results in humans. The FDA’s investigation disclosed that contaminants were likely introduced into the drug during the manufacturing process.
The affected medications included those manufactured with ingredients obtained from the Chinese company Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals. Zhejiang Huaha is a wholesale pharmaceutical lab that produces Valsartan and distributes it to drug companies in the U.S. Alarmingly, this plant supplies nearly half of all Valsartan in the U.S. Supposedly, the contamination occurred after the lab altered its method of synthesizing the drug a few years prior. A few months after the recall, Zhejiang Huahai found another carcinogenic chemical in the recalled medications called N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). In some instances, companies knew that the medication was unsafe and could have warned users about the risks of contamination.
The EPA classified NMDA and NDEA as probable human carcinogens. Furthermore, in 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared that NDMA is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. By 2015, initial reports began to surface of users experiencing adverse conditions related to Valsartan. Patients reported complications with the liver, kidney, and intestines, with some even developing liver and kidney cancer. Despite these reports, Valsartan companies did not investigate years later.
Since the initial recall, two other pharmaceutical wholesalers in China and India have also reported levels of NDMA in their Valsartan products.
Valsartan contaminated with NDMA or NDEA is associated with several dangerous health complications. Patients who took Valsartan that contained the toxic chemicals NDMA or NDEA may develop:
Valsartan is very popular in the United States, with an estimated 1.5 million Valsartan patients in 2018. Many people took this drug once or even twice daily years before the recall to control their blood pressure. However, this prolonged, consistent exposure to NDMA and NDEA-contaminated Valsartan may have led countless patients to develop cancer and other illnesses.
Individuals harmed by tainted Valsartan have filed claims against several pharmaceutical companies, including Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Novel Laboratories Inc., Unichem Pharmaceuticals, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Major Pharmaceuticals. Overall, these lawsuits target over 20 Valsartan manufacturers and distributors, alleging they sold contaminated Valsartan and that the drug caused severe adverse health effects.
As of September 2023, over 1,237 Valsartan lawsuits are pending in multidistrict litigation in New Jersey.
If you or a loved one developed an injury or illness after taking Valsartan, you may recover compensation for any or all of the following:
The Valsartan recall affected hundreds of batches and thousands of consumers. The European Medicines Agency discovered that manufacturing changes introduced by Zhejiang Huahai as far back as 2012 may have led to the NDMA impurity. Therefore, for six years, patients allegedly ingested contaminated Valsartan daily. Lawsuits accuse manufacturers and distributors of placing an unreasonably dangerous drug on the market and jeopardizing the health of consumers. Numerous companies benefit from the drug’s lucrative performance in the drug market and make millions. However, victims argue that these Valsartan companies chose profits over the public’s safety. Speak with a Valsartan lawsuit lawyer today to find out how you can pursue a lawsuit.
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. The Lake Law Firm will advocate for you and your rights. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.
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