10/31/2023
Patient safety and FYI:
The AP reports, “U.S. health regulators are warning consumers not to use more than two dozen varieties of over-the-counter eyedrops because of the risk of infections that could lead to blindness.” The FDA “advisory applies to lubricating drops sold by six companies.” The FDA last week “asked the companies to recall their products...because FDA inspectors found unsanitary conditions and bacteria at the facility producing the drops.”
The Washington Post reports, “Though CVS, Rite Aid and Target are pulling the products from store shelves and websites, they might still...be available for purchase, according to the FDA.”
CNN reports, “The eye drops, sold under the brands CVS Health, Rite Aid, Target Up&Up, Leader (Cardinal Health), Rugby (Cardinal Health) and Velocity Pharma, are supposed to be sterile.” So far, “there are no reports of injuries from using the products at this time, according to the FDA, but the agency says that anyone ‘who has signs or symptoms of an eye infection after using these products should talk to their health care [clinician] or seek medical care immediately.’”
