Novartis (Bangladesh) Ltd, the leading multinational pharmaceutical company in the country, said its valsartan brands are not affected by a recent recall.

“Novartis wants to assure general public, healthcare professionals and other concerned stakeholders that the valsartan brands Diovan, CoDiovan, Entresto and Exforge marketed in Bangladesh are produced using its own research-based innovator valsartan API, which is not affected,” said the company in a statement on Tuesday.  

It said Novartis produces its research-based active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for valsartan only at its own manufacturing plants based in Switzerland and England, maintaining the highest level of quality. 

Recent recall of valsartan is being done in 23 countries because an impurity was found during qualification tests of generic valsartan API manufactured by a Chinese third-party manufacturer. The impurity was identified as N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), according to the statement.

“Being a leader in the pharmaceutical industry, Novartis is committed to ensuring that all our marketed products meet the highest quality standards, which is reflected in its 45 years of journey in Bangladesh.”

“Novartis wants to reassure its stakeholders that the physicians and patients can use the mentioned medicines confidently.”    

Novartis Bangladesh is a subsidiary of Swiss healthcare company Novartis AG and is a joint venture between Novartis AG, which holds 60 percent share, and state-run Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation, which owns 40 percent stake.