The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently issued a stern warning to the public, advising against the purchase and use of multiple specific over-the-counter eye drop products from prominent brands.
The agency has raised concerns about the potential risk of eye infections linked to these products, which, in severe cases, could lead to partial vision loss or even blindness.
Consumers who exhibit signs or symptoms indicative of an eye infection after utilizing these products have been urged by the healthcare regulator to seek medical attention or consult with their healthcare provider promptly.
The brands associated with this warning include CVS Health Corporation CVS, Leader (owned by Cardinal Health, Inc. CAH), Rugby (also a Cardinal Health brand), Rite Aid Corp. RADCQ, Target Corporation's TGT Up&Up and Velocity Pharma.
These eye drop products, which are supposed to be sterile, pose a higher risk of causing harm to consumers, as they directly bypass several of the body's natural defenses when applied, the agency noted.
On Oct. 25, the FDA recommended that the manufacturer recall all batches of the affected products.
This recommendation followed the discovery of unsanitary conditions and positive bacterial test results from the critical drug production areas of the manufacturing facility. Furthermore, consumers are advised to properly dispose of these products.
Store Response and Availability
Major retail chains, including CVS, Rite Aid and Target, have already initiated removing the implicated products from their shelves and online platforms.
"Upon receiving notification by the FDA, we've (CVS) immediately stopped the sale in-store and online of all products supplied by Velocity Pharma," CVS said in an emailed statement to Reuters, adding that it will provide a full refund to customers returning the product.
However, products branded as Leader, Rugby and Velocity may still be available in stores and online, according to the FDA. Consumers are strongly advised to refrain from buying these products, according to the agency.
As of now, the FDA has not received any reports of adverse events or eye infections associated with the use of these products.
The agency encourages healthcare professionals and patients alike to report any adverse events or quality problems experienced with any medicine to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program. This will aid in the swift identification and rectification of any potential safety issues.
Other notable firms in the ophthalmic drug space include:
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. REGN: Known for Eylea, a treatment for several eye conditions.
Novartis AG NVS: Involved in ophthalmology through its Alcon division.
Bausch Health Companies Inc. BHC: Provides a range of ophthalmic products, including its flagship Bausch + Lomb contact lens offerings, which span the spectrum of wearing modalities and a wide selection of well-known brands.
Roche Holding AG RHHBY: Involved in ophthalmology through Genentech.
Pfizer Inc. PFE: Offers ophthalmic drugs and products via unit Pfizer Ophthalmics.
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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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