Lawmakers want answers on blood pressure drug recalls

Lawmakers are pressing the FDA for answers about the growing number of recalls for blood pressure drugs that might be tainted with a possibly cancer-causing chemical. There have been at least 15 recalls since last summer involving a specific class of drugs — including the common blood pressure medication valsartan — amid concerns it might be contaminated with trace amounts of the chemical NDMA. The recalls seem to be related to at least two drug manufacturing facilities in China and India. In a letter to FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, the House Energy and Commerce Committee asked the FDA to explain the steps it took to deal with the issue — and detail how it's working to make sure overseas suppliers don't jeopardize drug safety.