JavaScript is off. Please enable to view full site.

FDA advises not to purchase certain eye drops due to infection risk

FDA advises not to purchase certain eye drops due to infection risk

Saturday, October 28, 2023, 14:20 GMT+7
FDA advises not to purchase certain eye drops due to infection risk
Signage is seen outside of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, U.S., August 29, 2020. Photo: Reuters

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday warned consumers to not purchase or use certain eye drops from several brands, including CVS Health Corp and Cardinal Health, as they may cause eye infection and in some cases possible vision loss.

The agency recommended against the usage of 26 over-the-counter eye drop products mainly used to treat symptoms of dry eyes and provide relief against eye irritation.

The eye drops are marketed by CVS Health, Rite Aid, Cardinal Health, along with Target's up & up brand and Velocity Pharma, the FDA said in a statement. It has also asked the manufacturer to recall all lots of the product after its investigators found insanitary conditions in the manufacturing facility.

FDA said using certain eye care products from the brands it flagged could result in partial vision loss or blindness. However, as of now, it has not received any "adverse event reports" of eye infection associated with these products, the agency said.

CVS, Rite Aid and Target are removing the products from their store shelves and websites, according to the FDA. It also said that products branded as Leader, Rugby and Velocity may still be available to purchase in stores and online and advised against purchasing them.

"Upon receiving notification by the FDA, we've (CVS) immediately stopped the sale in-store and online of all products supplied by Velocity Pharma," the drugstore chain said in an emailed statement to Reuters, adding that it will provide a full refund to customers returning the product.

Cardinal Health and Velocity Pharma did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

FDA recommended consumers to properly discard these products, and advised patients who have signs or symptoms of an eye infection after using these products to talk to their health care provider or seek medical care immediately.

FDA earlier this month warned eight companies, including CVS and Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA.O), against manufacturing or marketing unapproved eye products.

Reuters

More

Read more

Taiwan re-opens, mopping up after Typhoon Krathon

Krathon, now downgraded to a tropical depression, hit land in the southwestern city of Kaohsiung, inundating streets, blowing out the windows of some buildings and scattering debris amid record-breaking winds

2 days ago

US dockworkers to head back to work after tentative deal

The International Longshoremen's Association had launched a work stoppage early Tuesday after negotiations with the United States Maritime Alliance, which represents shipping companies and terminal operators, hit an impasse

2 days ago
;

VIDEOS

‘Taste of Australia’ gala dinner held in Ho Chi Minh City after 2-year hiatus

Taste of Australia Gala Reception has returned to the Park Hyatt Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City's District 1 after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Vietnamese woman gives unconditional love to hundreds of adopted children

Despite her own immense hardship, she has taken in and cared for hundreds of orphans over the past three decades.

Latest news