Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals has recalled some batches of its anti-cholesterol drug Atorvastatin calcium tablets from the US. The company said in an announcement on its Web site that the tablet may contain a foreign substance — glass particles about less than 1 mm.
Atorvastatin is the generic equivalent of Pfizer’s blockbuster drug Lipitor. Ranbaxy was the first to launch a copy of the drug in the US last year. The company, owned by Japanese pharma major Daiitchi Sankyo, has recalled select lot numbers of the tablet’s 10-mg, 20-mg and 40-mg dosage strengths, packaged in 90- and 500-count bottles. “The recall does not affect or relate to the 80 mg strength,” the announcement added. “This recall is being conducted with the full knowledge of the US Food and Drug Administration,” Ranbaxy has said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.
The company said that the investigation with regard to the same is expected to be completed within two weeks and thereafter the company expects to resume supplies. Shares of the company fell by 3.27 per cent to close at Rs 495.95 on the BSE.
Ranbaxy is manufacturing the drug at its Ohm Laboratories unit in New Brunswick, New Jersey, US.