On 1 March 2016, The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) issued a public health and safety alert over counterfeit eye drops sold at two shops in Singapore.
At first glance, the imitation eye drops are only available in 7.5 ml whereas genuine Eye Mo products from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) are available in pack sizes of 7.5 ml, 9 ml, 15 ml and 18 ml.
The batch numbers and manufacturing date combinations printed on their bottles and cartons have never been used by GSK:
Combination 1 (Eye Mo Regular) : Batch Number: 15106160, Manufacturing Date: 06/03/15
Combination 2 (Eye Mo Regular) : Batch Number: 15025028, Manufacturing Date: 18/03/15
Combination 3 (Eye Mo Moist) : Batch Number: 15004105, Manufacturing Date: 30/04/15
2 shops were selling the counterfeit eye drops:
Eskimo Frozen Foods Pte Ltd located at 36 ChaiChee Avenue.
H.J. Ventures Pte Ltd located at 150ABishan Street 11.
Counterfeit eye drops pose severe health risks when used.In this case, the eye drops were contaminated with bacteria, which can cause eye infections and potentially lead to serious complications such as corneal ulcers (open sores in the outer layer of the eye) and blindness. In addition, the use of counterfeit eye drops carries a higher risk of infection if the consumer has had recent ocular surgery or has pre-existing diseases, such as diabetes mellitus.
It is the first occurrence of counterfeit eye drops being sold by shops in Singapore.
<Source: Health Sciences Authority (HSA)>
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