Novartis Halts Distribution Of Zantac Amid NDMA Investigation

Drug maker Novartis ceased distribution of its ranitidine drug Zantac just one week after FDA announced it discovered low levels of a carcinogenic impurity in Zantac and its generics, which are sold as over-the-counter and prescription drugs for the treatment of heartburn and indigestion. The impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), is one of the nitrosamine impurities that is the focus of FDA’s separate investigation into contaminated blood pressure and heart failure medicines. On Sept. 13, the agency announced some ranitidine medicines contain...