Kenya Gov't Withdraws Popular Anti-Acid Drug Linked to Cancer in the US

The Kenyan government has withdrawn a popular anti-acid drug from the Kenyan market after it was linked to cancer in the United States.

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board said Ranitidine, a heartburn reliever sold in Kenya as Zantac or Neotack, has been withdrawn to protect the health of Kenyans.

The board directed all chemists and suppliers nationwide to recall all Ranitidine products in the Kenyan market. 

“In order to safeguard the health of Kenyans, you are instructed to carry out a level two recall of all ranitidine products from the Kenyan market.” 

“In addition, you are required to submit to the board the details of all the products that you have imported into the country in the last three years,” the board’s CEO Dr. Fred Siyoi said in a circular sent to pharmacies.

Last month, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it established that some ranitidine products contain low levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a cancer-causing impurity. The chemical is linked to liver damage.

The announcement came after a Connecticut-based online pharmacy informed the US federal agency mandated to protect the public that it had found NDMA in multiple ranitidine products under certain test conditions.