Probe on to ascertain presence of carcinogenic impurities in

An investigation is on to ascertain whether Valsartan, a drug used to treat blood pressure and heart failure, has any impurities that may be carcinogenic, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) said here on Thursday.

The DCGI move comes after several lots of drugs containing Valsartan ingredient were recalled voluntarily by firms including Aurobindo Pharma and many other multinationals from the US market due to "presence of traces of impurity, N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) or N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)."