Fake eye drops sold in Singapore shops seized
Fraudulently labelled as "EYE MO Regular" (7.5 ml) and "EYE MO Moist" (7.5 ml) from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), HSA said the counterfeit products are of poor quality with bacterial contamination.
HSA seized the products from two shops: Eskimo Frozen Foods Pte Ltd, located at 36 Chai Chee Avenue, and H.J. Ventures Pte Ltd at 150A Bishan Street 11. Investigations revealed the fake eye drops were found in 7.5 ml pack sizes only, while genuine Eye Mo products come in four different sizes of 7.5 ml, 9 ml, 15 ml and 18 ml.
GSK confirmed the products' counterfeit nature.
The fake Eye Mo products were printed with batch numbers and manufacturing date combinations that GSK has never used before. These are:
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
This is the first time HSA encountered counterfeit eye drops being sold by shops in the country. In response, the agency is conducting further investigations.
These fake products pose serious harm to users as they are directly used on the eyes, HSA said, adding that the eye drops with bacterial contamination can cause infections and may lead to corneal ulcers (open sores in the outer layer of the eye) and blindness.
People who recently underwent eye surgery or has pre-existing diseases such as diabetes mellitus are at higher risk of infection if they use these counterfeit eye drops, Straits Times reported.
Consumers who suspect they may have bought fake Eye Mo products may contact GSK at 1800-622-7238 or email sg.customer-relations@gsk.com
Those who are aware of fake health products being sold by retailers or online are urged to contact HSA's enforcement branch at 6866-3485 or hsa_is@hsa.gov.sg
Any person caught selling or distributing counterfeit health products are liable to a penalty of $100,000 and/or a jail term of up to three years if convicted. MIMS
Sent from my iPad(Air)
No comments:
Post a Comment