The Ministry of Health, Wellness & The Environment (MoHWE) through the office of the Director of Pharmaceutical Services, Alfred Athill has been monitoring several challenges that have been affecting the pharmaceutical industry and more specifically, the recall of two (2) very popular medicines namely Ranitidine (Zantac) used to treat heartburn and other gastrointestinal challenges and Metformin (Glucophage) used to treat type 2 diabetes.
The recalls are due primarily to the presence of a “possible human carcinogen” known as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). NDMA is an environmental contaminant that is found in water and foods, including meats, dairy products, and vegetables. Consuming up to 0.096 micrograms or 0.32 parts per million (ppm) of NDMA per day is considered reasonably safe for human ingestion based on lifetime exposure.
This recall which has affected Metformin, is restricted to specific brands of the product and affects primarily the Extended Release (ER) formulations from specific manufactures.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medical Authority (EMA) and the Canadian Medical Authority (CMA) have been monitoring these products through their strict post marketing surveillance processes and continues to expand the list of recalled products once tests results reveal any compromise involving NDMA.
The MoHWE would like to advise ALL persons taking Metformin to continue taking their medication to prevent any dangerous health situations that may occur.
The recall of Ranitidine has affected all oral dosage forms and some specific brands/batch of the parenteral (injectable) dosage form, consequently it is important that alternative interventions be considered for all patients presently prescribed this medicine. It has been observed that the concentration of NDMA in these products increases even during storage conditions thereby exposing persons taking these products to increase levels of this “possible carcinogen”.
The health and safety of our twin island state remains the primary function of the MoHWE and consequently we will continue to advise the general public on matter that is of a public health concern. Persons presently taking any of the above medicines are advised to contact their health care provider.
2 responses to “Health Ministry cautions residents on the recall of Metformin products”
Oh my God is not now America has stopped prescribing Metteformin Glycophage to treat type 2 diabetes.It was said that it causes cancer.I have being taken Metteformin for about 5 yrs now .Has the ministry of Health just caught themselves.I would like to know whom can I Sue.Can medical benefits answer that question..I am going to pursue questions about my legal options that is available to me.
@Rock of Ages.
Just quit while you are ahead. Your first statement acknowledges your own awareness of the dangers involved in the usage of this drug. But of course in your eager effort to denigrate the local health authorities, your brain malfunctioned. You went on to claim that you have been taking that drug “for about five years now” and dare to threaten to “Sue” someone, possibly Medical Benefits. Everybody seems to be into criminal activity these days, one scam after another. Before you go wasting money you’ll need later, on a potential scam lawyer, here’s some free advice from a bush lawyer. Since you have been taking Metteformin for five years now, knowing it to be a proven carcinogen banned in ‘America’ long time ago my free advice to you is to double or treble your current dosage!! The fact that your are still alive five years after taking this cancer-causing dtug means that it is ineffective, not working!! It’s time to up the ante. If you are still around later you can ‘Sue’ me!