Eye Drop Recall: Pharma Company Recalls Eye Drops, Ointments At Walmart, Walgreens Due To Sterility Concerns

Altaire Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced last week that it is recalling several brands of eye drops and ointment sold over-the-counter at popular retailers Walmart (WMT) and Walgreens (WBA). These products are being called back due to the possibility of not being sterile, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

The eye drop packages are sold under the Equate brand. The first is called Equate Restore Tears Lubricant Eye Drops Twin Packs and sold in 2 x 15ml packages. The second is called Equate Eye Drops Allergy Relief W-M and sold in 15ml packages.

There are also several other Equate eyedrop and lubricant packages being recalled. In addition, eyedrops sold under the name Support Harmony are being called back. Some Opthalmic ointments being sold under the Perrigo brand are also being recalled.

The products being recalled at Walgreens include some Lubricant Eye Drops and Sodium Chloride Ophthalmic Ointments.

The announcements were posted on the FDA website where consumers can find more information on the recalls. The agency said that there have been no cases of the products doing harm to individuals and said the recall is a "precautionary measure."

The FDA warned in the recall notices that "Administration of a non-sterile product intended to be sterile may result in serious and potentially life-threatening situations or death."

There have been other products sold at Walmart that were recently recalled. In June, the Perrigo Company had to recall its Parent's Choice baby formula due to the possible presence of foreign matter in the product. Ruiz Foods Inc. in June recalled breakfast wraps due to possible foreign matter contamination, such as rocks.

Products recalled at Walgreens include salad bowls products which were possibly contaminated with salmonella. Nasal products and baby oral gels were also recalled last year due to microbial contamination.