Thousands of bottles of ointments for dry eyes, sold in Walmart and CVS stores, are being recalled across the United States due to potential contamination risks, according to inspectors from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA ordered the recall after identifying ‘unsanitary conditions’ at the ointment factory in Maharashtra, west India, raising concerns about possible microbial contamination of the bottles.[i] This recall follows previous outbreaks involving, severe infections necessitating eyeball removal, while others reported vision loss and eye infections.
The recalled eye ointments include Equate Lubricant Eye Ointment and CVS Health Lubricant Eye Ointment, among others. The recalled bottles, with expiration dates ranging from April 2024 to September 2025, may be contaminated with bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, posing severe health risks, including blindness and even death.
Litigation arising from such incidents involves careful medical and legal analysis, connecting a patient’s infection to the bacteria in the product. Our firm works carefully with a client’s own treating physicians to best understand the cause of the injury and a future prognosis.
Contact Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP
If you or a loved one have been affected by contaminated eye ointments, contact Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP for a free consultation. Our attorneys specialize in navigating complex product liability cases and will work tirelessly to ensure your rights are protected.
[i] “Brassica Pharma Pvt. Ltd. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Equate Lubricant Eye Ointment, Equate Stye Lubricant Eye Ointment, CVS Health Lubricant Eye Ointment, Lubricant PM Ointment Due to Potential Lack of Sterility” (2024, February 26). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts | FDA
