Pharmaceutical News
Patients are advised to change medication due to incidents of inferior hypertensive drugs
2019/01/20

Reported by Wu Liang-Yi from Taipei

Since last July, there have been a few reports about the use of carcinogens-containing APIs in hypertensive drugs manufactured by companies in Taiwan.  These APIs were imported from China or India. The TFDA and the medical industry urged patients to discuss with their physicians about changing medications.  According to hospitals’ estimation, about 10~20% patients are affected by the inferior drugs.  The consequent medical consultation and the changes of medication may cost the NHI NT$0.5~1 billion. 

 

Since last July, 5 incidents of inferior hypertensive drugs have be reported.  Those drugs use APIs from China which are found containing carcinogenic impurities, such as NDMA.  The health authority issued an order of product recall.

 

Wang Zong-Dao, the President of the Taiwan Hypertension Society, estimated that about 10~20% of the total 2.5 million hypertension patients have been affected by the inferior drugs.  As hypertension patients are on repeated prescriptions for chronic conditions, they are seen by their doctors once every three months.  In order to change medications, additional consultation will be required.  It will cost the NHI NT$0.5-1 billion, said Wang.

 

Tsai Shu-Ling, the Deputy Director of the NHIA, expressed that it would be hard to identify the data of drug changes associated with these incidents from the whole data set. However, under the Global Budget system, the increase in the service volume will definitely depreciate the NHI point value.

 

Shen Tsai-Ying, the spokesperson of the Taiwan Pharmacist Association, stated that the TFDA should carry out an inspection on all manufacturers involved.  The TFDA should also track all patients affected by the inferior drugs on a long-term basis just in case of their development of complications or cancers.

Wang Zong-Dao reminded patients not to abruptly stop taking medicine.  Without medication, patients are at higher health risk.  Patients who are concerned about their medication should consult with their doctors as soon as possible.

 

【2019-01-13/ Liberty Times】