FDA issues alert on eye care products from major brands

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alert concerning eye care products from major brands, warning consumers to stop using them, reports the New York Times.

The eyedrops and gels, some 26 products in total, are sold at stores including CVS, Rite Aid, and Target, and were found by investigators to be manufactured in unsanitary conditions. According to the FDA, bacterial tests covering critical drug production areas at the plant came back positive.

Consumers who use the flagged products run the risk of experiencing partial vision loss or blindness.

So far, no lawsuits have been filed involving complications around the eye care products.
The FDA said CVS, Rite Aid, and Target were removing the products from their shelves and websites, but some products branded as Leader, Rugby, and Velocity may still be available for purchase.

In a statement to Supermarket News, Rite Aid and CVS confirmed the products involved in the FDA alert were pulled. 

CVS added, “We’re committed to ensuring the products we offer are safe, work as intended and satisfy customers, and are fully cooperating with the FDA on this matter.”

Target had not responded to a request for comment in time for publication.
A complete list of the eye products falling under the FDA alert can be found here.

CVS, Rite Aid, and Target had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.

This is the second time in recent months that eyedrops have been the center of an FDA action.

In September, Walgreens was served with a proposed class action in Florida federal court over claims it “mislabeled eyedrops for treating pink eye and misled consumers into believing the product was safe and effective,” reported Reuters.

That lawsuit comes after the FDA sent a warning letter to eight companies last week, pointing to eye products that were being illegally marketed to treat conditions like conjunctivitis, cataracts, and glaucoma. The agency said the products could be harmful to consumers because they can bypass some of the body’s natural defenses.