Lupin recalls hypertension treatment tablets from US market

Hyderabad: Pharma major Lupin has said its US subsidiary, Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc, has initiated a voluntary recall of multiple lots of Quinapril Tablets USP from the US market after failing impurity specification test.

According to information available with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the recall was initiated by the company last September and as many as 53,160 bottles (30,264 bottles of 5 mg and 22,896 bottles of 10 mg) of both the drugs (90-count bottles) are being recalled under Class-II classification.

In 2006, Lupin received final approval from the FDA for its abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for Quinapril Tablets USP in 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg strengths. The drug is indicated to treat hypertension.

"During stability testing an unknown impurity was found to be above the specification limit at 36 month test interval," the US health regulator said, citing the cause for the recall.

According to the US FDA, Class II recall is a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

Both the drugs were manufactured by Lupin at its Goa facility.

When contacted, Lupin in a statement said, "This is an old event and a voluntary recall for a small batch of Quinapril Tablets 5 mg and 10 mg strengths; a precaution on our part, and of no business consequence."

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