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You took valsartan to regulate your blood pressure or to treat your congestive heart failure. Your goal was to improve your health, but you had no way of knowing that the medication could contain a carcinogen and potentially increase your risk of developing cancer.
In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled valsartan made by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co. because the valsartan was unintentionally contaminated with N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). NDMA is known to cause liver problems and cancer in rats, and this may not be the only risk facing valsartan users.
June 2019 Valsartan Carcinogen Warning
In June 2019, new warnings were brought to the FDA’s attention by an online pharmacy known as Valisure.
Valisure filed a citizen’s petition with the FDA on June 13, 2019. In its petition, Valisure alleged that it found high levels of N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) in specific lots of valsartan. In 2018, DMF was classified as a “Group 2A probable human carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Association for Research of Cancer (IARC).” DMF was found in some of the valsartan lots that had not previously been recalled for NDMA contamination. Instead, the probable carcinogen was found in batches of the medication that remain on the market in the United States and that are being used instead of batches of medication that were recalled in 2018.
Valisure requested that the FDA take specific actions to recall contaminated lots of valsartan and to create regulations that require more chemical testing for medications.
The FDA responded that it would look into Valisure’s concerns, but it urged patients to keep taking valsartan unless a doctor recommends that they stop their medication. So far, the FDA has not pulled valsartan with alleged DMF contamination from the market in the United States.
Valsartan Class Action Cases
In 2019, two valsartan-related class action cases were filed. One lawsuit alleges that Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co. destroyed evidence and willingly and recklessly allowed contaminated valsartan to be sold. The other lawsuit alleges that everyone who takes the contaminated valsartan should receive free medical monitoring. In some cases, cancer from contaminated valsartan medication may not appear for years after the medication was taken.
These cases are important, but if you have cancer from a carcinogen found in valsartan, then there is more that you can do to protect your right to a fair recovery.
Valsartan Mass Tort Cases
You should speak with a valsartan cancer injury lawyer as soon as possible if the following are all true:
- You have liver cancer, colorectal cancer, or stomach cancer
- You have used valsartan for at least one year
- You have used valsartan since 2015
Your cancer may have been caused by the carcinogenic contaminants in your valsartan medication and the pharmacy that made your medication should be held accountable for your injury.
After a liver cancer, colorectal cancer, or stomach cancer diagnosis, you may face:
- Significant medical bills for things such as doctors’ visits, hospitalizations, surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, medications, and other treatments
- Lost income because you may be unable to work the same job or the same hours that you did before your cancer diagnosis
- Intense physical pain and emotional suffering because of your illness, treatments, and the impact of your illness and treatments on your activities of daily living
- Other damages, such as childcare, household help, and transportation needs that you have only because of your cancer diagnosis or treatment
A mass tort case can help you recover these damages.
Our mass tort attorneys will be honest with you from the start. We will carefully review your claim and provide you with a realistic assessment of your legal rights and potential recovery so that you know what to expect and so that you can make an informed decision about how to protect your future.
Are You Looking for a Mass Tort Attorney in Boston, MA?
If you have been injured by dangerous drugs you need to speak with an experienced mass torts lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact us online or call our Natick Office directly at 888.904.6847 to schedule your free consultation.
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