Amazon pulls several eyedrops after FDA warning

Amazon is pulling seven eyedrop products from its online retail website following a warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that told the company the products are not FDA-approved.

In a letter to Amazon CEO Andrew Jassy dated Nov. 13, the FDA said the products are “especially concerning from a public health perspective,” and products administered through people’s eyes “pose a greater risk of harm” since they bypass some of the body’s natural defenses.

The products included in the warning were Similasan Pink Eye Relief, The Goodbye Company Pink Eye, Can-C Eye Drops, Optique 1 Eye Drops, OcluMed Eye Drops, TRP Natural Eye Floaters Relief and Manzanilla Sophia Chamomile Herbal Eye Drops.

In a statement shared with The Hill, an Amazon spokesperson said “safety is a top priority” at the company.

“We require all products offered in our store to comply with applicable laws and regulations,” the spokesperson said. “The products in question have been investigated and are in the process of being removed.”

The FDA told Amazon in the letter the company had 15 days to notify the agency of the steps they are taking to correct any violations.

The warning came just weeks after the FDA last month urged customers to stop using 26 over-the-counter eye drop products from several major brands due to the risk of eye infections that could lead to vision loss or blindness.

The eye drop products included those under brands CVS Health, Rite Aid, Target Up&Up, Velocity Pharma and Leader or Rugby, both of which are Cardinal Health brands.

A series of other eyedrop products were recalled at various points earlier this year, including some linked to infections, vision loss and at least one death.