Valsartan Tablets, USP 40 mg Rx Only NDC 50268-783-15 50 Tablets (5x10) Unit Dose Manufactured fo...

FDA Drug Recall #D-1130-2018 — Class II — August 14, 2018

Recall Summary

Recall Number D-1130-2018
Classification Class II — Moderate risk
Date Initiated August 14, 2018
Status Terminated
Voluntary Voluntary: Firm initiated

Recalling Firm

Firm AVKARE Inc.
Location Pulaski, TN
Product Type Drugs
Quantity 6776 cartons (338,800 tablets)

Product Description

Valsartan Tablets, USP 40 mg Rx Only NDC 50268-783-15 50 Tablets (5x10) Unit Dose Manufactured for: AvKARE, Inc. Pulaski, TN 38478

Reason for Recall

CGMP Deviations: Carcinogen impurity detected in API used to manufacture drug product.

Distribution Pattern

U.S. Nationwide

Lot / Code Information

Lots: 18491 Exp. 10/2018; 19531 Exp. 04/2019; 20168 Exp. 05/2019; 20671 Exp. 08/2019; 21049 Exp. 10/2019; 21635 Exp. 10/2019

Other Recalls from AVKARE Inc.

Recall # Classification Product Date
D-1329-2022 Class III Lamotrigine Tablets, USP 100 mg, 1000-count bot... Jul 20, 2022
D-0631-2021 Class III Phytonadione Tablets 5 mg, Rx Only, 30 Tablets ... Jun 9, 2021
D-0168-2021 Class I TraZODONE Hydrochloride Tablets USP 100 mg, Rx ... Dec 7, 2020
D-0167-2021 Class II Sildenafil Tablets USP 100 mg, Rx Only, 100-cou... Dec 7, 2020
D-0070-2021 Class II Mesalamine Delayed-Release Tablets, USP 1.2 gra... Oct 30, 2020

Frequently Asked Questions

cGMP stands for Current Good Manufacturing Practice — the FDA's regulations governing drug manufacturing quality. A cGMP recall means the company failed to follow required manufacturing standards. This could involve inadequate testing, poor environmental controls, documentation failures, or process deviations. cGMP recalls do not always mean the product is directly harmful — in many cases, quality records are insufficient to confirm the product meets specifications. However, the FDA requires a recall because without proper documentation, product quality cannot be assured. These are often Class II or Class III recalls.

Not necessarily. Many drug recalls are initiated because of quality system failures or test results that suggest a product might not meet specifications — even if no patients have reported harm. The FDA uses a precautionary approach: if there is reason to believe quality standards were not met, a recall is required regardless of whether adverse effects have been reported. Class I recalls typically involve a reasonable probability of harm; Class II recalls may cause temporary health issues; Class III recalls are for products unlikely to cause adverse health consequences but that still violate regulations.

Pharmacies typically receive recall notices directly from drug wholesalers and manufacturers within days of the recall being announced. Your pharmacist can look up whether any product in your prescription history matches a recalled lot number. For current recalls, the FDA publishes updates at FDA.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts and sends MedWatch email alerts for significant drug safety issues. You can sign up for MedWatch alerts at FDA.gov. Most major pharmacy chains also have their own recall notification systems that automatically alert pharmacists when a recalled product is in their inventory.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this medication if affected by this recall. Contact your pharmacist or prescribing doctor immediately for guidance. Do not flush medications — use a drug take-back program.