By Eghosa Emily
The Edo State Government through the Ministry of Health has warned against the sale and usage of Amlodipine besylate, sold under the brand name Norvasc which according to Medscape.com is a calcium channel blocker medication used to treat high blood pressure and coronary artery disease.
This is in line with the warning issued by The National Agency for Food and Drugs, Administration and Control (NAFDAC) that the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration has ordered the recall of 6 million tablets from two batches of Norvasc 5mg tablets produced by U.S based drug developer Viatris Inc.
According to the Commissioner, Edo State Ministry of Health, Prof. Obehi Akoria, the said batches of drug were discovered to contain iron wires in samples taken from the shipment, and also pointed to claims from Taiwan Norvasc users that the tablets when cut into half contain wires, thereby making the product substandard.
The State Health Commissioner, went further to give the details of the products stating the product name as Norvasc, product manufacturer as Viatris Inc. USA, with FR3135 and FT2343 as the batch numbers, and it’s Active Pharmaceutical ingredient being Amlodipine besylate.
Prof. Akoria cautioned that all persons, pharmaceutical outlets and health facilities who may have these batches of Norvasc 5 mg tablets in stock should immediately dispose them through the appropriate channels.
She advised the general public to be vigilant and not to make use of the product but to contact their doctors to discuss suitable alternatives.
The general public are advised to contact the Edo State Ministry of Health on 09016350001, 09114972470 and 09116076093 for more information.