FDA Issues Warning to Stop Using Several Eyedrop Products Due to Infection Risk

FDA issues warning to stop using several eyedrop products due to infection risk (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake, file)

(WKRC) — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning Friday for consumers to stop using several eyedrop products due to an infection risk.

In the alert, the FDA identified 26 products sold at Target, Velocity Pharma, Rite Aid, Rugby (Cardinal Health), CVS Health and Leader (Cardinal Health). After investigators found bacterial contamination in critical drug production areas of a manufacturing facility, the agency recommended the manufacturers recall the products Wednesday.

Per the FDA, Rite Aid, CVS and Target have all moved to remove the products from their stores and online. Products branded as Leader, Rugby and Velocity may still be available for purchase, however, customers were advised not to purchase them. None of the products have caused adverse effects yet, the FDA added.

It was the latest FDA statement warning consumers about potentially dangerous bacteria in eyedrops. Earlier in the year, there were four reported deaths, as well as fourteen cases of vision loss due to eyedrops tainted with a drug-resistant bacteria.

According to NPR, the FDA did not identify the bacteria strain detected at the manufacturing site.