Prescribers reassured over metformin contamination

There is no indication that medicines in the EU are affected, according to the European Medicines Agency. Healthcare professionals should continue prescribing metformin as normal and patients in the UK should continue taking the medicine. 'The risks from not having adequate diabetes treatment far outweigh any possible effects of the low levels of NDMA seen in metformin medicines outside the UK,' said the MHRA.

The MHRA is working closely with the EMA and other regulatory authorities to determine whether any further action is required and will continue to keep prescribers and patients updated as more information becomes available.

The levels of NDMA seen in the affected metformin products are very low and thought to be within or even below the range that people would normally be exposed to from other sources, including food and water. 

NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen on the basis of animal studies. It is not expected to cause harm when ingested in very low levels.

Last year, NDMA and other impurities of the same class (nitrosamines) were found in products containing valsartan. More recently, ranitidine medicines have been recalled over fears of possible NDMA contamination. 

The EMA has launched a procedure to request companies to take specific measures to avoid the presence of nitrosamines in human medicines.