More Drugs Recalled Over Possible Cancer Risk

The recall of heart medications containing the drug valsartan has expanded, with generic drug maker Mylan this week recalling 104 lots of three medicines. These include valsartan tablets, valsartan and amlodipine combination tablets, and hydrochlorothiazide, HealthDay reports. This latest move follows similar recalls in recent months after drug makers have detected trace amounts of the chemical N- nitrosodiethylamine, or NDEA, which is a probable human carcinogen, according to an FDA statement. CBS reports that NDEA is present in some pesticides, tobacco smoke, and water used in industrial processes. The contamination has been linked to factories in China and India. Find the FDA’s list of recalled valsartan medications here. (Three letters led to recall of hundreds of license plates.)