Amazon has voluntarily removed seven eye drop brands from its shelves in response to a warning letter from the Food & Drug Administration about potential safety issues.
The eye drops, marketed as a homeopathic treatment for pink eye, dry eyes, cataracts, irritation due to dust or other allergens, are considered “new medications” that have yet to be formally approved for sale by the FDA, according to the warning . notification.
The warning letter comes after the agency recalled batches of eye drop products in recent weeks, including more than two dozen eye drop products sold by CVS Health, Leader (Cardinal Health), Rugby (Cardinal Health), Rite Aid, Target, Velocity Pharma and Walmart were recalled “after FDA investigators had found unsanitary conditions,” USA Today previously reported.
Other eye drop products have been recalled in recent months, once in August and another time in February due to possible contamination, infections, vision loss, a handful of deaths and other adverse conditions, CNN reported.
The online retail giant has already started removing any trace of these products from their site.
“Security is a top priority at Amazon. We require that all products offered in our store comply with applicable laws and regulations. The products in question have been investigated and are currently being removed,” a company spokesperson told CNN.
Here’s what we know.
Warning: FDA Recalls Another 27 Eye Drop Products: What You Need to Know as a Consumer
Which eye drop products has Amazon voluntarily recalled?
What makes the sale and distribution of these ophthalmic products especially concerning is that they pose a greater risk of harm “because the route of administration for these products bypasses some of the body’s natural defense mechanisms,” according to the FDA.
The recalled products are not “generally recognized as safe and effective” based on the claims for their intended use.
Therefore, they are classified as “new drugs” by the FDA. New drugs cannot be introduced or supplied for release into interstate commerce without an approved application from the FDA.
Here is a list of the recalled products:
- Similasan pink eye relief
- The farewell company Pink Eye
- Can-C eye drops
- Optical 1 eye drops
- OcluMed eye drops
- TRP Natural Eyes Floaters Relief
- Manzanilla Sophia Chamomile Herbal Eye Drops
What should I do if I have already consumed the product?
If you show any sign or symptom of a possible infection, the FDA has recommended that consumers immediately talk to their healthcare provider or seek prompt medical attention.
Side effects to eye drops such as discharge, redness or pain may indicate an infection. People should also check a product’s expiration date before use, American Academy of Ophthalmology spokesperson Dr. Christopher Starr to CBS.
Consumers should also dispose of eye drop products properly, according to FDA guidelines. Users of eye drop products who experience a serious reaction due to a recalled product can file a report with the FDA online.
Eye Drop Recall List: See the dozens of eye care products recalled in 2023