FDA Issues Warning Over 26 Eye Drop Brands Due to Potential Bacterial Contamination Risk

FDA Inspectors Disclose Unsanitary Conditions and Bacterial Contamination in Manufacturing Facility; CVS, Rite Aid, and Target Begin Removing Affected Products From Shelves

The FDA has listed 26 eye drop brands for recall due to potential bacterial contamination risk that could potentially lead to severe eye infections and vision loss. These brands include CVS Health, Leader (Cardinal Health), Rugby (Cardinal Health), Rite Aid, Target up&up, and Velocity Pharma.
The FDA discovered unsanitary conditions and bacterial contamination at the manufacturing facility which produces these brands. However, the details of the facility including its location and the specific type of bacteria found were not disclosed.
CVE, Rite Aid, and Target are already complying with the FDA's recall, removing these products from their store shelves and websites. Some products, particularly under the brands of Leader, Rugby, and Velocity, might still be available for purchase and should be avoided.
While no adverse effects or cases of infection related to these products have been reported yet, the FDA has advised consumers to stop using these products immediately. Due to the nature of eye drops bypassing the body's natural defenses, consumers who exhibit symptoms of eye infection are encouraged to seek immediate medical care.
This warning follows a series of recalls earlier this year, including an outbreak of antibiotic-resistant bacteria pseudomonas aeruginosa linked to eye products from EzriCare and Delsam Pharma, causing at least four deaths and lasting vision loss in 14 other patients.