Recall of Losartan

HealthPharmacy
Last updated on
Avatar photo
By Bryan Tan Van Hong

Publicity Associate at YPC. Currently working in Esyms, an online pharmacy platform and Registered Pharmacist at a retail pharmacy. Oh, and not to forget, pun enthusiast.

On early March, the Ministry of Health Malaysia released a statement regarding the recall of 7 types of medication containing the active ingredient Losartan. This came about after some of these angiotension II receptor blocker (ARB) were found to contain unacceptable amount of nitrosamine, a substance which is possibly carcinogenic, or has the potential to cause cancer.

The seven types of medications recalled were Losagen 50, Losagen 100, Losartas 50mg Tablets, Losartas 100mg Tablets, Tozaar Plus LS 50/12.5mg Tablet, Tozaar 50mg Tablet and Tozaar Tablet 100mg.

Deputy Minister Dr Lee Boon Chye urged those who are in possession of the aforementioned medication to return it to the supplier in exchange for other approved medication. Stern actions will also be taken on suppliers who continue to sell these medications.

However, there is no need to panic, says Dr Lee. “Do not panic if you have consumed the medications, as there are no short-term effects.”

This is not the first time losartan has been recalled from the market. Last year, a similar incident occured where the company which supplied Lostad HCT 50/12.5 mg was asked to cease its operation.

Be sure to visit your local pharmacy or clinic for any enquiries. Do not stop taking any medications on your own accord.

 

Related

Starting from 1 January 2019, all applications for pharmacy licenses and permits will be associated with a newly imposed fee. The amendments are as follow: “I) Di bawah Peraturan 28 Peraturan-Peraturan Racun (Pindaan) 2018 iaitu :  28. (1) An Application for a licence under the Act shall be accompanied by the following fees:    …

Since our last article on COVID-19, so much has changed-the number of reported cases, better understanding of the virus’ characteristics, and its rebranding to COVID-19. After a harrowing month into the new decade, there’s finally some good news in 2020! This article will cover the rationale behind rebranding, latest statistics, and the roles of pharmacists…

Written by Bryan Tan – Marketing and Communications Associate at YPC, currently a PRP at a retail pharmacy, and pun enthusiast   Malaysia is one of the countries with a high prevalence of diabetic patients. Malaysia is also a country which majority of its citizens observe the Ramadhan fast every year. Diabetic patients who fast…

Written by Bryan Tan – Marketing and Communications Associate at YPC, currently a PRP at a retail pharmacy, and pun enthusiast.   What? The critical allowance, or more commonly known as Bayaran Insentif Perkhidmatan Kritikal (BIPK) was a fund started in 1992 for jobs which fulfilled 2 criteria: 1) The job has low remuneration 2)…

We had the honour of meeting the first Malaysian-produced Doctor in Pharmacy (PharmD) graduate. Dr. Chong Chin Pin, or more commonly known as CP by those who know him personally, who is also YPC’s treasurer, recently graduated and received the PharmD title. We sat down and spoke to him in hopes of obtaining a clearer…

Written by Tang Jia Wen, commitee member of MCPS 2.5   On 27 July 2019, the Malaysian Clinical Pharmacy Symposium (MCPS) 2.5 – A Cancer Therapy Counselling Workshop was held in International Medical University (IMU). It had successfully gathered pharmacists from different backgrounds and provided a conducive platform for them to exchange ideas and thoughts…

Others

You’ve Got a Friend in Me

Last updated on

Written by Bryan Tan – Marketing and Communications Associate at YPC, currently a PRP at a retail pharmacy, and pun enthusiast   1. People who talk about it are just trying to get attention. 2. It always occurs without any warning signs 3. Once people decide to do it, there is nothing you can do…

MPS-YPC 2020/2021 Chairperson Remarks

Last updated on
Another term has ended for the MPS-YPC Committees of 2020/2021. As the curtain falls, here are some words from the outgoing Chairperson, Cedric Chua summarizing the achievements and challenges that his team faced throughout their term.  Dear Fellow Young Pharmacists, The challenges posed by the pandemic in the past two years have spared no one....

Here is a reminder to the smoking ban at eateries which will be officially implemented in 3 days’ time. Like many other laws, it has garnered mixed reactions and divided opinions from the public. Since its announcement back in October, many were sceptical and doubtful on the substance of this. Was the law really going…

Written by Bryan Tan – Marketing and Communications Associate at YPC, currently a PRP at a retail pharmacy, and pun enthusiast   From 1 July onwards, those who still smoke cigarettes at eateries will be issued summons. Despite the announcement of the ban earlier this year, many eateries can still be seen drowning in cigarette…

A Foreword by Dr Mai Chun-Wai

Last updated on

2018 was an exciting year for us. During this year’s Annual Business Meeting, a new steering committee structure was approved by the members of MPS-YPC, which we have then expanded our service. In the past, MPS-YPC developed series of continuous professional development (CPD) for the young pharmacists. In 2018, we have expanded the collaboration with…

For the past week, the public (and that includes health care professionals) has been dumbfounded by the sheer impact of the toxic dump which happened along Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang, Johor. The incident, believed to have happened on 7 March has led to a plethora of health issues concerning the residents in the…