Gov’t recalls all ranitidine drugs from Kenyan market over cancer risk

The government has recalled all ranitidine products from the Kenyan market following the discovery of impurities in the drugs used to treat ulcers.

The Ministry of Health, through Pharmacy and Poisons Board, says it has received information on the contamination of ranitidine products with an impurity known as Genotoxix N-nitrosodimenthylamine (NDMA).

NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen, a substance that could cause cancer, based on laboratory test results.

“In order to safeguard the health of Kenyans, you are hereby instructed to carry out a level 2 recall of all ranitidine products from the Kenyan market,” reads the notice issued by Dr .F M Siyoi, the Pharmacy and Poisons Board Chief Executive Officer.

The board has also demanded that pharmaceutical firms submit details of all the ranitidine products that have been imported into the country in the last three years.

The details include the dosage form, batch numbers, quantities imported, batch expiry dates, distribution details.

“The details should be submitted to Pharmacy and Poisons Board within 48 hours,” added the firm.

Ranitidine is used to treat and prevent ulcers in the stomach and intestines as well as treat conditions in which the stomach produces too much acid.