Health chiefs recall dozens of batches of common blood pressure pills because they contain ‘world’s most explosive chemical’ which also causes cancer
- The affected medicines contain azido-tetrazole, health chiefs have revealed
- Government officials warned the substance may increase the risk of cancer
- Scientists have also dubbed substance the world’s most explosive chemical
Health chiefs today recalled dozens of batches of blood pressure pills because they were found to contain with one of the world’s most explosive chemicals.
Three types of drugs known as irbesartan, losartan and irbesartan hydrochlorothiazide were pulled after the cancer-causing impurity was spotted.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which polices the safety of drugs used in Britain, said the affected batches contained azido-tetrazole.
Government officials warned the substance – considered by some to be the world’s most explosive chemical – may increase the risk of cancer.
Some of the pills – which are taken by millions of Britons – have been on the market for two years.
It is the latest in a line of drug recalls of sartan-type medications, which may have been exposed to cancer-causing chemicals in factories in China and India.
The MHRA insisted the measure was merely a precaution and there was no proof it has caused any harm to patients.
Pharmacies stocking the affected medicines containing irbesartan and losartan (shown above) have been pulled because they were found to contain one of the world’s most explosive chemicals
There is also no evidence any of the pills have exploded. It also said the move only applied to pharmacies and wholesalers stocking the 31 batches supplied by Bristol Laboratories Limited, Brown & Burk UK Limited and Teva UK Limited.
Britons taking the affected pills were told not to immediately stop taking them because suddenly stopping a course of medicine can be risky.
Other blood pressure pills containing losartan and irbesartan are still available.
Dr June Raine, chief executive of the MHRA, said: ‘Patient safety is our watchword.
‘We’re recalling batches of certain sartan-containing as precautionary measure while we continue our investigation.
‘It’s important that healthcare professionals check their stock to quarantine and return these batches.
‘If you’ve been taking one of the affected products, speak with your doctor or pharmacist before stopping any treatment – they can address any concerns and can advise you on the best course of action.’
Cambridge scientist Dr Ljiljana Fruk described azido-tetrazole as the the world’s ‘most explosive chemical’ in 2019.
Speaking on the BBC’s The Naked Scientists radio show, the chemical expert said: ‘So the most explosive chemical was made in 2011 in the lab.
‘[It] Never went out of the lab, it was made in a special chamber and it’s called azidotetrazole.
‘So that’s a molecule that has 14 nitrogens in its own structure, and because of these constrained nitrogen bonds it’s very explosive.
She added: ‘Some scientists said that this molecule could explode even if you look at it, because you know it really reacts on a tiniest amount of pressure.
‘It’s even more explosive than TNT and some other explosives. So you know pretty interesting stuff.’
Officials have yet to explain how the impurity may have occurred. They are often caused by contamination in factories or brought on during the manufacturing or storage process.
Exposure to light, temperatures or even reactions with the container that holds the drug can trigger chemical changes.
More than 30 batches of irbesartan losartan medicines are affected by the latest recall, all of which were produced in UK factories. But it’s unclear how many patients will be affected.
The MHRA said: ‘These batches are being recalled as the level of contamination is above the acceptable limit.’
Overall, more than two-thirds of all active drug ingredients originate in China and India, industry experts estimate, with China accounting for the lion’s share.
NHS figures reveal more than 2million prescriptions for drugs containing irbesartan were dished out in England in 2017.
It comes after a similar recall saw thousands of blood pressure pills pulled from pharmacy shelves in January after carcinogenic ingredients were found in them.
Four types of medications branded as irbesartan hydrochlorothiazide were contaminated with N nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) contamination, a chemical once used in rocket fuel.
Around 165,000 people are prescribed irbesartan hydrochlorothiazide every year for hypertension – the medical term for high blood pressure.