Class II U.S. Food and Drug Administration

K.C. Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Artificial Tears Sterile Lubricant Eye Drops recall: Lack of Assurance of Sterility

Recall published 11 days ago

Lack of Assurance of Sterility

The hazard: Sterility or particulate concern

The concern here is contamination of a product that bypasses the body’s normal defences, which is why the threshold for recalling it is low.

What the notice says: Lack of Assurance of Sterility

Why it matters: The product was made or packaged in conditions that cannot assure sterility, or visible particles were found in it. For anything injected, infused or used in the eye, that is a direct route for contamination into the body.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

Watch for fever, chills, pain, redness, swelling or discharge at an injection site, and for a red, painful or suddenly blurred eye after using an eye product. Any of these needs same-day medical attention. Do not wait to see whether it settles, and tell the clinician which product and lot you used so it can be reported against the recall.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Recall number
D-0002-2027
Published
October 14, 2026
Risk level
Class II
Status
Ongoing
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
K.C. Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Product type
Prescription & OTC drugs
Units affected
505,896 cartons
Distribution
Nationwide
Sold at
Walgreens, Kroger, Publix
Made in
United States
Lot / code info
Lot: a) AT25B01, Exp.: 2/28/2027; b) AT24N01, Exp.: 11/30/2026; AT25B01, Exp.: 2/28/2027; AT25D01, Exp.: 04/30/27; AT25F01, Exp.: 6/30/2027; AT25F02, Exp.: 6/30/2027; AT25K02, Exp.: 9/30/2027; c) AT25D01, Exp.: 04/30/27; AT25K02, Exp.: 9/30/2027; d) AT24N01, Exp.: 11/30/2026; AT25B01, Exp.: 2/28/2027; AT25D01, Exp.: 04/30/27; AT25F01, Exp.: 6/30/2027; AT25F02, Exp.: 6/30/2027; AT25K01, Exp.: 9/30/2027; AT25K02, Exp.: 9/30/2027; e) AT25B01, Exp.: 2/28/2027; f) AT25B01, Exp.: 2/28/2027; AT25D01, Exp.: 04/30/27; g) AT25B01, Exp.: 2/28/2027; AT25F02, Exp.: 6/30/2027; AT25K01, Exp.: 9/30/2027; h) AT25B01, Exp.: 2/28/2027; AT25D01, Exp.: 04/30/27; I) AT25D01, Exp.: 04/30/27; AT25F01, Exp.: 6/30/2027; AT25K02, Exp.: 9/30/2027; J) AT24N01, Exp.: 11/30/2026.
UPC codes
070038470083, 041415009769, 036800093317, 311917065038, 011110386007

Products covered by this recall

Artificial Tears Sterile Lubricant Eye Drops (polyvinyl alcohol 0.5%, povidone 0.6%), 0.5 FL OZ (15 mL) bottles; a) Best Choice, PROUDLY DISTRIBUTED BY: VALU MERCHANDISERS, CO., 5000 KANSAS CITY, KS 66106, UPC 0 70038 47008 3; b) LEADER, DISTRIBUTED BY CARDINAL HEALTH, DUBLIN, OHIO 43017, www.myleader.com, NDC 70000-0011-1; c) Good Neighbor Pharmacy, Distributed By AmerisourceBergen, 1 West First Avenue, Conshohocken, PA 19428, NDC 24385-006-05; d) Good Sense, Distributed By: Geiss, Destin& Dunn, Inc., A Perrigo Company, Peachtree City, GA 30269, NDC 50804-110-01; e) Medic'c Choice, Sterile 0.5 fl. oz. (15 mL), Manufactured by KC Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Pomona, CA 91768, NDC 55651-008-01; f) P, DISTRIBUTED BY PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC, LAKELAND, FL 33811, UPC 0 41415 00976 9; g) Quality Choice, Distributed by CDMA Inc, Novi, MI NDC 83324-189-14; h) TopCare health, DISTRIBUTED BY TOPCO ASSOCIATES LLC, ELKGROVE VILLAGE, IL 60007, UPC 0 36800 09331 7; I) Walgreens, DISTRIBUTED BY: WALGREEN CO. DEERFIELD, IL 60015, UPC 3 11917 06503 8; J) Kroger, DISTRIBUTED BY THE KROGER CO., CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202, UPC 0 11110 38600 7.

Check your product

The notice names 13 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

UPC / barcode

Read the twelve digits under the barcode on the package.

  • 070038470083
  • 041415009769
  • 036800093317
  • 311917065038
  • 011110386007

NDC number

On the carton and again on the bottle or blister label.

  • 70000-0011-1
  • 24385-006-05
  • 50804-110-01
  • 55651-008-01
  • 83324-189-14

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 0.5 FL OZ
  • 15 mL
  • 0.5 fl. oz

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Drug enforcement notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Sterility

K.C. Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — The concern here is contamination of a product that bypasses the body’s normal defences, which is why the threshold for recalling it is low.

  1. Stop using the affected lot and check the lot number on your own carton or vial against the codes listed above.
  2. If you are a clinic or pharmacy, quarantine the stock and work it through your usual recall log.
  3. Report any infection or reaction you think the product caused to FDA MedWatch.
  4. Do not use a vial or syringe with visible particles, cloudiness or discolouration, whether or not it is on the recall list.

Getting a replacement supply

Do not let a refund question interrupt your treatment. Deal with the supply first and the money second.

  • Call the pharmacy before you run low. They can see which lot they dispensed to you and will usually swap it the same day.
  • Insurers do not normally count a recall replacement against a refill limit. If one is refused, ask the pharmacist to call it through as a recall override.
  • Over-the-counter products are refunded at the till like any other purchase; the recall notice on your phone is enough to explain the return.
  • If the manufacturer runs a direct reimbursement form, it will be linked from the official notice on this page.

Company contact: K.C. Pharmaceuticals, Inc. — 3420 Pomona Blvd, Pomona, CA, 91768-3236

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Drug enforcement record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was K.C. Pharmaceuticals, Inc. prescription & otc drugs recalled?

Lack of Assurance of Sterility Lack of Assurance of Sterility

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: UPC 070038470083, 041415009769, 036800093317. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Stop using the affected lot and check the lot number on your own carton or vial against the codes listed above.

Can I get my money back?

Call the pharmacy before you run low. They can see which lot they dispensed to you and will usually swap it the same day.

Where was the recalled product sold?

It was distributed nationwide, including at Walgreens, Kroger, Publix.

Related recalls