Public Health Communications Specialist
Ministry of Health/Social Development
Telephone: 468-2286
Email: nlettsome@gov.vg
Press Release
Press Release
Ministry of Health & Social Development
Release Date:
Thursday, 2 November 2023 - 12:53pm
Local pharmacies are advised to remove recalled products from shelves, while consumers are asked to discontinue use amidst the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall on eye drops.
Chief of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Services, Mrs. Gracia Wheatley-Smith said that the FDA issued the recall because of the potential risk of eye infection that could result in the partial loss of vision or blindness.
The recall is targeting eye drops that are used to alleviate dry eyes and eye irritation that are available for purchase in stores in the US and online.
The eye drops are being recalled after the investigators identified insanitary conditions in the manufacturing facility and positive bacterial test results from environmental sampling of the critical drug production areas in the facility.
As per manufacturing standards, eye drops are to be manufactured under sterile conditions to prevent contamination and investigations at the manufacturers have resulted in results of less than optimal conditions being observed.
The contaminated eye drops are marketed by CVS Health Corp, Rite Aid, Cardinal Health, Target, Velocity Pharma and Walmart pharmacies and their respective online sites.
Mrs. Wheatley-Smith explained that the items are currently being removed from the pharmacies and online sites. However, individuals who may have used any of these eye drops are being asked to discontinue use and visit your ophthalmologist immediately.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is also asking local pharmacies and eye clinics to check their inventory and to remove any of recalled eye drops from the shelves or storage and place in quarantine and contact your supplier for further instructions as to replacement or reimbursement.
EYE DROP SUPPLIERS AND PRODUCT INFORMATION
|
Retailer/Label |
Product |
Product Information |
|
CVS Health |
Lubricant Eye Drop 15ml (single pack) |
Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/v |
|
Lubricant Eye drop 15ml (twin pack) |
Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/v |
|
|
Lubricant Gel Drops 15ml (single pack) |
Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1% w/v |
|
|
Lubricant Gel Drops 15ml (twin pack) |
Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1% w/v |
|
|
Multi-Action Relief Drops 15ml |
Polyvinyl Alcohol 0.5% w/v & Povidone 0.6% w/v & Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride 0.05% Eye Drops |
|
|
Lubricating Gel drops 10 ml |
Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops |
|
|
Lubricating Eye Drops 10ml (single pack) |
Propylene Glycol Eye Drop 0.6% w/v |
|
|
Lubricating Eye Drop 10ml (twin pack) |
Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6%w/v |
|
|
Mild Moderate Lubricating Eye Drops 15ml (single pack) |
Polyethylene Glycol 400 Eye Drop 0.25% w/v |
|
|
Rugby (Cardinal Health)
Leader (Cardinal Health) |
Lubricating Tears Eye Drop 15ml |
Hypromellose 2910-0.3% w/v & Dextran 70-0.1% Eye Drops |
|
Polyvinyl Alcohol 1.4% Lubricating Eye Drops 15 ml |
Polyvinyl Alcohol Eye Drops 1.4% w/v |
|
|
Dry Eye Relief 10ml |
Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops |
|
|
Lubricant Eye Drops 15ml (single pack) |
Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye drops 0.5% w/v |
|
|
Lubricant Eye Drops 15ml (twin pack) |
Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye drops 0.5% w/v |
|
|
Dry Eye Relief 15ml |
Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye drops 1% w/v |
|
|
Eye Irritation Relief 15ml |
Polyvinyl Alcohol 0.5% w/v & Povidone 0.6% w/v & Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride 0.05% Eye Drop |
|
|
Rite Aid |
Lubricant Eye Drops 15ml (twin pack) |
Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 05% w/v |
|
Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (twin pack) |
Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6% w/v |
|
|
Gentle Lubricant Gel Eye Drops 15ml |
Hypromellose 0.3%, Glycerin 0.2%, Dextran 70 0.1% Eye Drop |
|
|
Lubricant Gel Drops 15ml |
Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye drop 1% w/v |
|
|
Lubricant Gel Drops 10ml |
Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drop |
|
|
Multi-Action Relief Drops 15ml |
Polyvinyl Alcohol 0.5% w/v & Povidone 0.6% w/v & Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride 0.05% Eye Drops |
|
|
Target Up&Up |
Up&Up Dry Relief Lubricant Eye Drops 30ml |
Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops |
|
Up&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eye 15ml (single pack) |
Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops |
|
|
Up&Up Extreme relief Dry Eye 30ml (twin pack) |
Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 05% w/v |
|
|
Velocity Pharma LLC |
Lubricant Eye Drop 10ml (triple pack) |
Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6% w/v |
|
Walmart |
Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drop 10ml |
Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops |
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is committed to improving the health of the people of the Virgin Islands.
