Ranbaxy recalls several lots of generic Lipitor

NEW YORK — Ranbaxy Labs has recalled more than three dozen lots of its generic version of a cholesterol-lowering statin drug due to the possible presence of foreign particles, the company said.

In a notice posted on its U.S. website, the India-based drug maker said it had voluntarily recalled several lots of 500-pill bottles of atorvastatin calcium, a generic version of Pfizer's Lipitor, in the 10-mg, 20-mg and 40-mg strengths. The recall, which is taking place with the "full knowledge" of the Food and Drug Administration, does not affect the 80-mg strength of the drug, the company said.

The drug maker said select batches of the drug may contain small glass particles less than 1 millimeter in size.

Ranbaxy received Food and Drug Administration approval to market its generic version of Lipitor in November 2011.

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