HQ Team
October 31, 2023: The US Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers not to use certain over-the-counter eye drop products due to the potential risk of infections.
The FDA updated an October 27 list of medicines and stated that the eye drop products could result in partial vision loss or blindness.
According to an FDA statement, the products include equate hydration PF lubricant eye drop 10 ml sold by Walmart in stores and online.
Patients who experience symptoms of an eye infection after using these products should talk to their healthcare provider or seek medical care immediately, according to the statement.
These products marketed include brands such as CVS Health, Leader (Cardinal Health), Rugby (Cardinal Health), Rite Aid, Target Up & Up and Velocity Pharma.
“These products are intended to be sterile. Ophthalmic drug products pose a potentially heightened risk of harm to users because drugs applied to the eyes bypass some of the body’s natural defences.”
Recall
FDA recommended the manufacturer of these products recall all lots on October 25, 2023.
The move came after agency investigators found insanitary conditions in the manufacturing facility and positive bacterial test results from environmental sampling of critical drug production areas in the facility.
The US drug regulatory body has advised consumers to properly discard these products.
CVS, Rite Aid and Target are removing the products from their store shelves and websites. Products branded as Leader, Rugby and Velocity may still be available to purchase in stores and online and should not be purchased, according to the statement.
