Eye-drop maker recalls CVS, Target, Walmart-branded products

By Eleanor Laise

Recall triggered by insanitary conditions found by FDA investigators

The manufacturer of eye drops sold under CVS Health Corp. (CVS), Target Corp. (TGT), Rite Aid Corp. (RADCQ), Walmart Inc. (WMT) and other brands has recalled 27 products that were the subject of recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration warnings about potential contamination.

Kilitch Healthcare India Ltd., a pharmaceutical company based in Mumbai, is voluntarily recalling the products labeled with the brands of the major retailers as well as Cardinal Health Inc.'s (CAH) Rugby and Leader labels, according to an announcement posted Wednesday on the FDA's site.

The products are being recalled due to potential safety concerns after FDA investigators found insanitary conditions, the statement said. The recall includes all lots with expiration dates ranging from November 2023 to September 2025. The products were distributed nationwide to retailers and wholesalers and via the product distributor Velocity Pharma LLC.

The FDA warned consumers in late October not to buy or use the products, saying they pose a risk of eye infections that could cause partial vision loss or blindness. The retailers pulled affected products from their shelves.

Kilitch has not received any reports of adverse events related to the recall, according to the statement posted Wednesday.

The recall comes on the heels of an FDA warning to Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) about the sale of unapproved eye drops marketed for treatment of redness, pink eye and other conditions. The agency warned CVS and Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. (WBA) about similar issues in September.

A string of eye-product safety issues has emerged this year amid increased federal scrutiny of eye-drop manufacturing. Several other eye-drop brands were also the subject of recalls earlier this year due to concerns about dangerous infections.

-Eleanor Laise

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11-16-23 1154ET

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