The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has recalled medicines containing valsartan that was sourced from a pharmaceutical company in Linhai, China.

This is due to the presence of an impurity called N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) which is a probable human carcinogen. Not all manufacturers in South Africa source their valsartan from this supplier, hence not all products have been recalled. Only the following products, made by Pharma Dynamics, are affected:

• Dynaval Co 80/12,5 mg, tablet, 44/7.1.3/0018
• Dynaval Co 160/12,5 mg, tablet, 44/7.1.3/0019
• Dynaval Co 160/25 mg, tablet, 44/7.1.3/0020