The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to consumers regarding over-the-counter eye drops that may contain harmful bacteria, posing an infection risk. The alert includes 26 eye drop products sold under various store brands, such as CVS Health, Rite Aid, and Target Up & Up, as well as the Leader, Rugby, and Velocity Pharma brands. The FDA has not received any reports of infections from consumers, but is urging manufacturers to remove potentially contaminated products from shelves. The agency has discovered harmful bacteria and unsanitary conditions at a manufacturing facility where several eye drop products are produced.
This warning comes after a series of eye drop recalls earlier this year due to contamination with the drug-resistant bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. At least four deaths and numerous cases across 18 states have been linked to eye drops tainted with this bacteria. Consumer watchdogs have criticized the FDA for taking so long to discover this broader issue and have called for the agency to have the authority to recall unsafe medications when companies refuse to cooperate in a timely manner. The FDA advises consumers to discard the potentially contaminated eye drops and report any adverse reactions to their MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.
In response to the FDA’s warning, retailers and manufacturers are being urged to remove the affected eye drop products from their shelves. This latest alert highlights the importance of monitoring the safety and sterility of over-the-counter medications, particularly those that come into direct contact with the eyes. Consumers are advised to be cautious when purchasing and using eye drops, especially those that have been implicated in previous recalls or those from manufacturers with a history of unsanitary conditions.