Muscat: A substance that could cause cancer has been found in the heartburn drug Zantac and several other antacids, the Food and Drug Administration announced. The Ministry of Health said it is closely monitoring the presence of this dangerous substance in medicines in the Sultanate.
The agency said preliminary tests found low levels of a substance known as NDMA, classified as a “probable human carcinogen,” in ranitidine products that treat heartburn and stomach ulcers, according to the statement, which only named brand drug Zantac.
A statement by Health Ministry said, “the Ministry is carefully following the US Food and Drug Authority warning about the presence of the substance ranitidine, commercially known as Zantac, in medicines.
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“Consequently, the Ministry of Health has taken the necessary precautionary measures with all competent authorities to ensure that this substance is not present in any medicine that is marketed in the Sultanate.”
Zantac maker Sanofi said in a statement it “takes patient safety seriously, and we are committed to working with the FDA.”
