Emery Pharma on CBS News-National
Alameda, CA – Today January 10, 2020, Emery Pharma was featured on CBS News-National. The interview covered the recently published Citizen Petition with the FDA regarding the generic drug Ranitidine. Ranitidine is a common heartburn medication and is sold under various brand names, including Zantac®.
Ranitidine (Zantac), once a widely used over-the-counter and prescription heartburn medication, has come under serious regulatory and scientific scrutiny after studies revealed it can form NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine)—a chemical classified as a probable human carcinogen. Unlike a typical contaminant, NDMA in this case appears to be generated from the drug itself when exposed to heat. Research conducted by Emery Pharma was instrumental in demonstrating that NDMA levels in ranitidine increase significantly when the drug is subjected to elevated temperatures, such as those encountered during storage or transportation. This discovery challenged assumptions about the drug’s safety and stability. In response, the FDA acknowledged the findings, issued safety alerts, and eventually requested the removal of all ranitidine products from the U.S. market in 2020. Investigations are ongoing into whether NDMA can also form within the human body after ingestion, due to the drug’s chemical structure and potential metabolic reactions. While the long-term cancer risk for previous users remains uncertain, the issue has led to growing public health concerns and sparked nationwide litigation against the drug’s manufacturers. Emery Pharma’s findings played a critical role in both the regulatory response and the scientific understanding of this complex issue.
The segment can also be viewed here: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/zantac-heartburn-drug-ranitidine-possible-link-to-cancer-california-lab-emery-parma-investigating/
For all press inquires, please contact:
Neeku Mahdavian
neeku@emerypharma.com
Tel: (510) 899-8825
