CANCER RISK: The ban, which takes effect today, applies to drugs with the active ingredient ranitidine, which contains traces of a likely carcinogen, NDMA

Taipei Times
Date: Aug 01, 2020
By: Staff writer, with CNA

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday announced a ban on 36 drugs for the treatment of stomach ulcers, as they have been found to pose a cancer risk.

The ban, which takes effect today, applies to drugs with the active ingredient ranitidine, which contains traces of the contaminant and probable carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), the agency said, citing international studies.

The studies also found that the NDMA levels in drugs increase over time and with exposure to heat, sometimes in excess of the maximum acceptable daily intake of 96 nanograms, the FDA said.

Prior to the ban, there were 36 drugs containing ranitidine marketed in Taiwan — 29 prescription drugs and seven over-the-counter medications, the FDA said in a press release.
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