Multiple Drops/Medications for the Eyes Recalled due to Sterility Concerns

On July 3, 2019, the FDA announced that Altaire Pharmaceuticals voluntarily recalled certain eye drops, eye lubricants, and prescription eye ointments sold over the counter under the Walgreens brand name, as well as some prescription products. According to the FDA, Altaire initiated the recall “due to management concerns regarding the sufficiency of Quality Assurance controls over critical systems in the manufacturing facility” which may result in a non-sterile product. If a product that is supposed to be sterile- such as eye drops- is not, “it can result in serious and potentially life-threatening infections or death,” the FDA reports.

This recall involves specific lots of over-the-counter eye drops and lubricants sold under the Walgreens brand as well as some prescription medications. According to the FDA, the prescription medications affected by the recall include:

• Neomycin and Polymixin B and Bacitracin Zinc Ophthalmic Ointment
• NEO-POLY DEX Ophthalmic Ointment
• NEO-POLYCIN HC Ophthalmic Ointment
• POLYCIN Ophthalmic Ointment
• Bacitracin Ophthalmic Ointment
• Sulfacetamide Sodium Ophthalmic Ointment

 According to the FDA, the affected Walgreens brand-name products include:

• Lubricant Eye Drops Moisturizing
• Sodium Chloride Ophthalmic Ointment, 5% Hypertonicity Eye Ointment
• Sodium Chloride Ophthalmic Solution, 5% Hypertonicity Eye Drops
• Lubricant Eye Ointment PF Soothing

For more information regarding the Walgreens brand recall, click here. For more information regarding the prescription recall, click here.

If you or a loved one has been injured by one of these recalled products, contact one of the experienced product liability attorneys at Burg Simpson’s Cincinnati office today. Our award-winning attorneys would be happy to discuss your potential claim. Call 1-800-713-9340 or fill out our contact form for a FREE no-obligation consultation today.

By Jessica L. Powell,  Associate

About Jessica Powell

Jessica Powell focuses her practice on medical malpractice, employment law, business law, personal injury, and mass tort litigation, including lawsuits involving defective pharmaceutical drugs and devices. Jessica is currently significantly involved in the Depakote® (valproic acid) Products Liability Litigation.

Prior to practicing law, Jessica Powell earned her Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Kentucky University, graduating magna cum laude in 2005. She spent over a decade handling disability cases before she pursued her law degree, which she earned from Salmon P. Chase College of Law, graduating summa cum laude, in 2016. Jessica is currently admitted to practice in Ohio and Kentucky.