Bristol-Myers Begins Avalide Recall
Bristol-Myers Squibb has announced a recall of its blood pressure medication Avalide. The recall covers 60 million tablets that were manufactured before 2009 in Puerto Rico and distributed in the United States and Puerto Rico.
The recall is a precaution after it was discovered that there might be variations in one form of the active ingredient in the tablets. The variance would cause the tablets to dissolve at a slower rate than usual. The company released a statement that they do not have any evidence that the medication has reduced potency, but have initiated the recall because they are unable to rule out that possibility. Predictability of medications is a necessity for physicians and patient evaluations, and it is possible that any variations in the drug might impact the course of treatment.
Since other lots of the drug were not impacted, the company does not anticipate any shortage of the drug to stem from the recall.