Losartan recall (Camber)

March 20, 2019

On February 28th 2019, Camber Pharmaceuticals announced a voluntary recall of 87 lots of Losartan potassium tablets, USP to the consumer level due to the detection of trace amounts of an unexpected impurity found in an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufactured by Hetero Labs Limited. The impurity detected in the API is N-Nitroso N-Methyl 4-amino butyric acid (NMBA) , which is a substance that occurs naturally in certain foods, drinking water, air pollution, and industrial processes, and has been classified as a probable human carcinogen as per International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classification.

To date, Camber has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.

Losartan is used to treat hypertension, hypertensive patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and for the treatment of nephropathy in Type 2 diabetic patients. Patients who are on Losartan should continue taking their medication, as the risk of harm to the patient?s health may be higher if the treatment is stopped immediately without any alternative treatment. Patients should contact their pharmacist or physician who can advise them about an alternative treatment prior to returning their medication.

What is being recalled?

What do I need to know?

  • Express Scripts will mail letters to patients who have received medication impacted by the recall.
  • The Food and Drug Administration has stated that patients who have the recalled medicine should continue taking it until they have a new supply unless otherwise directed by their healthcare provider, as the risk of harm to the your health may be higher if the treatment is stopped immediately without any alternative treatment.
    • Please consult with your prescriber for guidance on continuing to take this medication or if you should obtain a new prescription for an alternative therapy.
    • If you and your prescriber decide you should continue to take the medication on hand, your next fill will be processed using medication that is not part of any existing recall.
    • If you choose to stay on this therapy but need to obtain a fresh supply and it is not time for your next refill, please call us at the toll free number on your prescription bottle to request an early refill. Your order will be filled with medication that is not part of any existing recall.
  • It is important to note that your home delivery pharmacy will NOT be accepting returns or providing credit for these recalled products.
  • To request a return kit for your recalled product, please contact Camber by calling 888-275-0506 toll free.
    • Explain that your pharmacy is not accepting returns of the recalled product.
    • Provide the product NDC number (found on your original invoice) or a description of the tablet.
    • Camber will provide details on returning product and reimbursement of recalled product.

Why was this medication recalled?

  • This voluntary recall is being issued by Camber working with the FDA because an impurity N-Nitroso N-Methyl 4-amino butyric acid (NMBA) was detected in the recalled lots.
  • Any suspected adverse events that may be related to the use of these products should be reported to your doctor. You can also report adverse events that may be related to this recall to FDA's Med Watch Program either online, by regular mail or by fax.
  • Online: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm?action=reporting.home
  • Regular Mail: Use postage-paid, pre-addressed Form FDA 3500B available at:
    https://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm. Mail to the address on the pre-addressed form.
  • Fax: 1-800-332-0178 (toll free)

Last updated: March 13, 2020

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