In a concerning development, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed that more than 580,000 bottles of the popular blood pressure medicine Prazosin Hydrochloride have been recalled nationwide due to contamination fears involving a cancer-causing chemical.

According to the FDA’s enforcement report released this week, Teva Pharmaceuticals USA — a major New Jersey-based drug manufacturer — and Amerisource Health Services issued voluntary recalls of multiple batches of Prazosin capsules in October 2025. The recall affects bottles of various strengths that were being distributed to pharmacies and healthcare centers across the United States.

Prazosin Hydrochloride, known for its ability to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow, is primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Doctors also prescribe it for patients suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly to reduce nightmares and sleep disturbances. However, the discovery of chemical contamination has now prompted immediate safety actions.

The FDA stated that some of the recalled batches may contain nitrosamine impurities, a class of chemicals known for their carcinogenic potential. These impurities can form during the manufacturing or storage process, especially if the formulation or raw materials are exposed to certain environmental conditions.

The regulator classified the recall as a Class II risk, meaning the use of or exposure to the defective drug could cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, but the likelihood of serious long-term health issues remains low.

A spokesperson from the FDA said, “We are taking all necessary actions to ensure that contaminated lots are removed from the market immediately and that manufacturers review their production processes to prevent recurrence.”

Nitrosamines have previously been found in several other pharmaceutical drugs, including medications for diabetes and acid reflux, triggering multiple recalls over the past few years. Scientists describe these impurities as a family of chemical compounds that may increase the risk of cancer with prolonged exposure, even at low levels.

This recent recall of Prazosin Hydrochloride once again highlights the ongoing global issue of drug contamination and the challenges faced by manufacturers in maintaining chemical stability during production and storage.

Why Nitrosamines Are Dangerous

According to National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies, nitrosamines can form when specific chemical reactions occur between amines and nitrosating agents during drug manufacturing. If the process is not tightly controlled, trace amounts can contaminate the final product. Once ingested, these impurities can damage DNA and potentially trigger tumor growth in organs such as the liver, kidneys, and lungs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified some nitrosamines as probable human carcinogens, meaning there is sufficient evidence from laboratory tests to suspect cancer risk in humans.

What Patients Should Do

The FDA has advised patients currently taking Prazosin Hydrochloride to check the label on their medication bottles for the manufacturer’s name and batch number. Those who have the affected batches are urged not to stop taking their medication abruptly but to contact their doctor or pharmacist immediately for guidance and replacement options.

Stopping blood pressure medication suddenly can cause serious health complications, including dangerously high blood pressure spikes. Hence, patients should consult their healthcare provider before making any changes to their medication schedule.

Teva Pharmaceuticals has also set up a hotline and website to assist consumers and pharmacies in identifying the affected products. In its official statement, the company emphasized that the recall was a precautionary step, assuring that it is working closely with the FDA to investigate and resolve the contamination source.

Meanwhile, Amerisource Health Services confirmed that it has halted all distribution of the affected drug lots and notified healthcare professionals nationwide.

Previous Incidents and Industry Reactions

This is not the first time nitrosamine contamination has disrupted the pharmaceutical market. Similar issues were previously reported in Valsartan and Losartan — two widely used hypertension drugs — leading to massive recalls and tighter regulatory scrutiny.

Experts from Johns Hopkins University note that while these impurities often appear in minute quantities, the repeated recalls raise concerns about quality assurance in drug manufacturing. “It’s a wake-up call for the pharmaceutical industry,” one pharmacologist commented. “We must invest in better detection systems to ensure these impurities never reach patients.”

FDA’s Continued Efforts

The FDA, established to protect public health, continues to enforce strict testing and compliance protocols to monitor potential impurities in medications. The agency said it is expanding research into analytical methods to detect nitrosamines more effectively.

As the investigation continues, the agency reassured the public that no severe adverse reactions related to this recall have been reported so far.

However, patients are encouraged to report any side effects to the FDA’s MedWatch program — a safety information and adverse event reporting system — to help authorities track and address potential health risks promptly.

The Bottom Line

While the recall has caused alarm, health experts stress that early detection and swift response by regulators and manufacturers reflect the system’s ability to protect patients. Consumers are reminded that vigilance is key — always check the source of your medication and follow official updates from trusted authorities like the FDA.

For more health updates and global news, visit www.DailyGlobalDiary.com — your trusted source for verified, human-written news.

When Professor Richard Scolyer received the devastating news in 2023 that he had been diagnosed with glioblastoma—one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer—he was told he might only have six to eight months left. Today, more than two years later, the former Australian of the Year is still here, though he admits his fight may be nearing its end.

Speaking candidly this week, Scolyer described his journey as “tough” but also full of moments of gratitude. “I had a great period after I was initially diagnosed and could enjoy life, but I’ve had a few recurrences of the tumour,” he shared. “I guess there’s an end point, and who knows how far it is away. But we’re definitely getting closer.”

The comments came as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stood alongside him in Sydney, announcing a major recognition of his legacy. The federal government will establish The Richard Scolyer Chair in Brain Cancer Research at the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, a world-class cancer treatment centre in Camperdown. Backed by $5.9 million in funding, the role will be dedicated to advancing research, expanding clinical trials, and improving outcomes for patients.

A career defined by breakthroughs

Professor Scolyer has long been celebrated in the medical community. Alongside colleague Georgina Long, he was named Australian of the Year 2024 for their groundbreaking melanoma research, which dramatically improved survival rates. His leadership in immunotherapy has inspired hope across cancer research, and his own battle became an extension of that work.

When diagnosed, he began a world-first experimental immunotherapy treatment, defying expectations by holding the disease at bay for more than 18 months. Unfortunately, the cancer returned earlier this year.

Still, his determination hasn’t faltered. Just weeks ago, Scolyer participated in Sydney’s City2Surf, finishing the famous 14km run in two hours and 21 minutes—an achievement many would consider remarkable for someone battling terminal illness.

Honouring a mentor

The new Chair also carries personal significance for Scolyer. The centre is named after Chris O’Brien, the respected surgeon who lost his own battle with brain cancer in 2009. Scolyer recalled their relationship fondly: “He mentored me, we researched together, we did a lot of things. For him to end up getting brain cancer and passing away from it, and then to follow in his footsteps many years down the track has been heartbreaking.”

Humility and legacy

Prime Minister Albanese shared that Scolyer was hesitant about having his name attached to the Chair, even moments before the announcement. “It really does say something about the humility of this extraordinary gentleman… that as late as just inside my office he was still saying ‘it shouldn’t really be named after me’,” Albanese said.

Scolyer himself emphasized that what matters most is the difference this funding and research can make. “I want to make a difference for people, and I’ve dedicated my life to doing that… my name to it or not, that’s not where the difference happens.”

Looking forward with hope

Brain cancer remains one of the most challenging diseases to treat, but Scolyer believes progress is possible. “There are many challenges with brain cancer that couldn’t be addressed in the past but can potentially be tackled now,” he said. “So I sincerely hope that’s what happens over the next few years.”

Despite acknowledging that his own time may be limited, Professor Scolyer’s resolve to push forward for others is unwavering. His story continues to inspire Australians, blending personal courage with professional brilliance.

As the Chair in his name begins its work, countless patients and families may one day benefit from the legacy of a man who refused to give up hope.

For more inspiring human stories and breaking health news, visit our site for more news www.DailyGlobalDiary.com.

In an experiment that reads more like a sci-fi thriller than marine biology, a team of researchers from Sun Yat-sen University and the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory decided to drop a cow carcass 1,629 meters into the South China Sea, hoping to learn how large marine animals feed in the abyssal zones.

What happened next stunned them.

Out of the pitch-black depths emerged a gigantic creature, never before filmed in these waters — a Pacific sleeper shark. Measuring up to seven meters in length and usually confined to the icy North Pacific — including the Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, and even Baja California — this deep-sea giant had just made its debut in a place no one expected.

For scientists, it was more than just a curious visit. It marked a dramatic extension in the known distribution of one of the ocean’s most elusive predators — and may even rewrite what we know about its behaviour, ecology, and reproductive patterns.

“An Ambush in the Shadows”

The camera installed beside the carcass recorded footage that can only be described as haunting. Slowly gliding out of the abyssal darkness, multiple Pacific sleeper sharks appeared, with larger individuals launching into the carcass with brutal force, while smaller sharks circled cautiously — as if waiting for their turn.

But what intrigued scientists even more was a subtle, almost orderly behaviour among the sharks.

“Individuals approaching from behind appeared to take priority over those already feeding,” explained Han Tian, marine biologist at Sun Yat-sen University. This unexpected queuing behaviour suggested that even in the vast, food-scarce deep sea, these predators might follow a competitive, but non-chaotic, hierarchical system — a survival strategy seen in very few species, let alone at such depths.

A Nursery Beneath the Waves?

Perhaps the most puzzling revelation of the entire study came when researchers reviewed the footage frame by frame: Every shark filmed was female.

Coincidence? The scientists think not.

They pointed out that other elusive deep-sea species — including the rarely seen megamouth shark — also show a female-dominated presence in this particular part of the ocean. This raises a fascinating hypothesis: the South China Sea could potentially be a nursery ground for deep-sea sharks.

“This region may offer the right combination of food availability, depth, and environmental stability to support gestation or young sharks,” Tian speculated.

Eyes Wide Open — And in Danger

Another fascinating behaviour caught on camera was the sharks’ eye retraction during feeding. Unlike many sharks that have a nictitating membrane — a protective layer that slides over the eye while feeding — the Pacific sleeper shark lacks such a shield.

Instead, the footage shows a muscular contraction pulling the eyeball slightly inward during aggressive biting. Scientists believe this may be a defensive reflex — a way to protect one of their most vulnerable organs while tearing into flesh in an unpredictable feeding frenzy.

What Lies Beneath?

The aggressiveness and number of sharks at the feeding site also hinted at something else: that this part of the ocean may have abundant food sources, even at such crushing depths.

But what exactly are these sharks surviving on in the warm, southern waters? That’s the next big question.

“This discovery opens a door, but behind that door are countless new questions about deep-sea ecosystems,” said Tian. “What brought these apex predators here? Are they migrating? Breeding? Or have they always been here, silently swimming below?”

While the world above remains fascinated with space exploration, it’s clear the deep oceans — with their ancient giants and ghostly hunters — still hold untold mysteries. And sometimes, all it takes is a cow carcass to summon the truth from the depths.