Dozens of eye drops and ointments are recalled from Walmart and Walgreens because they may not be sterilized
- Altaire Pharmaceuticals Inc is recalling 23 eye drops and ointments
- The company says the recall is a ‘precautionary measure’ because the products may not be sterile
- Most of the products are sold at Walmart and Walgreens across the US
- No one has reported any illnesses or deaths from using the products
Eye drops and ointments sold at Walmart and Walgreens have been recalled because they may not be sterilized.
Altaire Pharmaceuticals Inc, based in New York, is recalling 23 over-the-counter medications and certain prescriptions.
The company says the recall is due to a ‘potential for nonsterility’, according to a release from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
No one has reported any illnesses or deaths from using the products, but it is unclear how many states, or number of stores, are affected by the recall.
Altaire Pharmaceuticals Inc, based in New York, is recalling 23 over-the-counter eye drops, ointments and certain prescriptions from across the US because they may not be sterilized (file image)
Eye drops are used to treat a number of conditions from red and dry eyes to infections or conditions such as glaucoma.
The FDA warns that using non-sterile products intended to be sterile, ‘may result in serious and potentially life threatening infections or death.’
For Walgreens, the pharmaceutical company is recalling moisturizing eye drops, sodium chloride ophthalmic ointment, sodium chloride ophthalmic solution and lubricant eye ointment all sold under the Walgreens brand name.
For Walmart, the recall applies to several Equate products such as moisturizing drops, allergy relief, lubricating eye ointment and gel drops.
Perrigo prescription ointments were recalled in a third release.
The recalled drops and ointments have expiration dates between July 2019 and January 2022.
About 150 lots are affected and specific lot numbers for each recalled product can viewed on the FDA website.
Walgreens has about 9,560 stores across the US and Walmart has about 5,000 locations across the US.
It is unclear if the recall affects every store or if it only affect certain stores in certain states.
Altaire states that the recall is merely a ‘precautionary measure,’ and that it has not received any ‘reports of adverse events’ or test results that show the products are non-sterile.
Anyone who has used the eye drops and is experiencing any issues is urged to immediately see a doctor or a healthcare provider.
Customers with questions have been asked to contact Altaire Pharmaceuticals at (800) 258-2471 during business hours.
Altaire did not immediately reply to DailyMail.com’s request for comment.