Walmart is including eye drops in the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) roster of potentially hazardous items. Shoppers are currently being advised to steer clear of Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drop 10 mL, which is currently being withdrawn from both Walmart’s physical stores and its online platform. This action is prompted by the potential threat of eye infections that might result in either partial or complete loss of vision, as detailed in the FDA’s latest announcement.
Federal health authorities issued their initial caution to consumers last week, advising them to either refrain from using or discard 26 different products designed to alleviate dry or irritated eyes.
This action was prompted by an investigation that unveiled unsanitary conditions within the manufacturing facility, posing a potential risk of contamination to products that are supposed to maintain sterility. The FDA also reported favorable bacterial test outcomes stemming from the environmental sampling of crucial drug manufacturing zones within the facility.
The specific type of bacteria detected has not been disclosed by the agency, and they have not connected this advisory to the previous incident involving antibiotic-resistant pseudomonas aeruginosa associated with eye products from Global Pharma Healthcare.
In a statement, Walmart emphasized its commitment to upholding rigorous quality and safety standards for all its suppliers. The company stated that it is actively collaborating with the manufacturer to address the issue. In addition to discontinuing the product from its store shelves, Walmart has also put in place a point-of-sale restriction at its registers to prevent any future sales.
The aforementioned 26 items were offered with various brand labels, including CVS Health, Leader (Cardinal Health), Rugby (Cardinal Health), Rite Aid, Velocity Pharma, and Target’s Up & Up series. Prior to the recent warning, CVS, Rite Aid, and Target had already initiated the removal of these products from their physical outlets and online platforms.
However, it’s important to note that regulatory agencies have suggested that items bearing the labels Leader, Rugby, and Velocity may still be accessible for purchase, both in brick-and-mortar stores and through online channels.
