Eye drops sold across the US have led to serious concerns over the impact they could have if used, with insiders fearing the product could lead to blindness.
Shoppers are being told to avoid Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drop 10 mL, with the product being added to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) list of potentially dangerous products in the US.
Among the shops to start banning the product nationwide across the pond is Walmart – it is no longer purchasable via its shops or online.
The FDA said there were huge health risk factors in using the product, including sustaining potential eye infections that could lead to partial or complete vision loss.
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In October, federal health regulators issued their first warning to shoppers – telling the public to avoid buying or throwing out the eye drops, and 26 other products meant to ease dry or irritated eyes.
An investigation found that inside the manufacturer’s facility “unsanitary conditions” were experienced.
This led to products potentially being contaminated, the regulators said.
Positive bacterial test results were also made after samples of critical drug protection areas were carried out.
It is unclear which types of bacteria were found, and it has not been linked to a previous outbreak of antibiotic-resistant bacteria pseudomonas aeruginosa linked to eye products from Global Pharma Healthcare.
In a statement, Walmart said it takes “the quality and safety standards seriously for all our suppliers”.
It added it was working with the manufacturer on the problem.
Walmart also moved to implement a sales block at its cash registers to stop future purchases of the product.
Others to begin removing the product from its stores and online include CVS, Rite Aid and Target.
The 26 previously listed products were marketed under the brands CVS Health, Leader (Cardinal Health), Rugby (Cardinal Health), Rite Aid, Velocity Pharma and Target’s Up & Up brand.
A CVS spokesperson told FOX Business: “We’re committed to ensuring the products we offer are safe, work as intended and satisfy customers, and are fully cooperating with the FDA on this matter.”
Cardinal Health added: “We are working with Velocity Pharma, the supplier of the impacted eye drop products, to gain additional insight regarding the unsanitary conditions identified by the FDA at the manufacturing facility.”