- FDA warns public about counterfeit eye drops posing infection risk, particularly South Moon, Rebright, and FivFivGo which mimic Bausch + Lomb Limify eye drops.
- South Moon found contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Rebright lacks active ingredient. FivFivGo not tested. FDA advises against use.
- Origin of counterfeits unknown, FDA investigating. Consumers urged to purchase eye drops from reputable retailers after recent recall and safety concerns.
Additional Coverage:
- FDA warns of contaminated copycat eye drops (cbsnews.com)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is cautioning the public about counterfeit eye drops that pose a risk of infection. In particular, the FDA warns against South Moon, Rebright, and FivFivGo eye drops, which have packaging that closely resembles Bausch + Lomb’s Limify brand eye drops. While Limify is an approved over-the-counter product for redness relief, these copycat products claim to treat more serious conditions like glaucoma, which would require prescription drugs or surgery.
Samples of South Moon and Rebright eye drops purchased online were tested by the FDA, revealing that South Moon was contaminated with burkholderia cepacia complex, a group of bacteria that can cause antibiotic-resistant infections. While Rebright did not show contamination in testing, the FDA still advises against using it. Additionally, both South Moon and Rebright eye drops were found to lack brimonidine tartrate, the active ingredient in authentic Limify eye drops. The agency was unable to obtain samples of FivFivGo for testing.
The origin of these counterfeit products is still unknown, but the FDA is actively investigating. The agency has received reports regarding possibly fake Lumify eye drops, including concerns about quality, eye irritation, pain, and infection. To ensure safety, the FDA advises consumers to only purchase eye drops from reputable retailers, such as state-licensed pharmacies.
This warning comes following a recent eye drop recall, in which 28 products were pulled from store shelves due to safety concerns. Investigators discovered unsanitary conditions at a manufacturing facility in India, prompting the recall. Last year, there were a total of eight separate announcements related to eye drops, including recalls. These recalls were associated with four deaths and multiple cases of vision loss.
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- FDA warns of contaminated copycat eye drops (cbsnews.com)