Doctors are being urged speak to their patients about alternative blood pressure-lowering treatments to quinapril amid a looming shortage, as the TGA investigates the potential contamination of several products. 

It follows the detection of very low levels of N-nitroso-quinapril, a nitrosamine impurity, in prescription medicines containing the ACE inhibitor, as well as those with both quinapril and the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide. 

The sponsors of all marketed quinapril tablet products in Australia have paused supply while affected batches containing “unacceptable” levels of the potential carcinogen have been recalled from pharmacies. 

Pfizer Australia, Generic Health and Arrotex Pharmaceuticals have also notified the TGA that due to the product recalls, there will be a shortage of their quinapril-containing products.