(USA Today) – A division of Swiss pharmaceutical maker Novartis is reportedly halting distribution of generic Zantac pills over concerns about an ingredient possibly linked to cancer. Novartis-owned Sandoz has issued a “precautionary distribution stop” of all medicines containing ranitidine, an antacid and antihistamine used to block stomach acid, according to multiple reports.
The stop “in all our markets will remain in place” until “further clarification,” the company said. “Our internal investigation is ongoing to determine further details,” Sandoz said. The move came after the Food and Drug Administration last week said it had detected low levels of a probable carcinogen in the heartburn drug Zantac and its generic versions. READ MORE
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