Several drugs containing the ingredient Valsartan are being recalled by their manufacturers. A potential carcinogenic impurity was found in the Valsartan used in these products which could cause health problems as a result of long-term exposure.
If you are taking a medication that contains Valsartan, continue taking it, but consult your doctor, healthcare provider or pharmacist to determine if your specific medicine has been recalled; they will help you to determine if alternative treatment options should be employed.
Drugs containing Valsartan are used to treat high blood pressure, prevent heart attacks and strokes, and are also prescribed to persons who have experienced a recent cardiac episode.
Medipac Travel Insurance will not consider a change in medication or treatment as a result of this recall as a change in the stability period that is required to enrol in the Medipac Emergency Travel Medical Insurance Program.
If you suspect that your medication may be involved in this recall, ask your pharmacist; they will be able to tell you immediately.
For a list of the specific products affected by this recall, please consult the Government of Canada Recall and Alert web page accessed by the following link:
HealthyCanadians.gc.ca
Travel Well.
Sincerely,
Karen Huestis
President
The Canadian Snowbird Association
The Voice of Travelling Canadians
www.snowbirds.org