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 7 months ago

Lack of Assurance of Sterility

The hazard: Sterility or particulate concern

This recall is about sterility assurance. It does not mean every unit is contaminated — it means the manufacturer cannot demonstrate that none of them is.

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-0416-2026
Published
April 8, 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
589,848 bottles
Distribution
Nationwide
Sold at
Kroger, Publix
Made in
United States
Lot / code info
Lot: a) AT24D01, Exp.: 04/30/26; AT24E01, Exp.: 05/31/26; AT24G01, Exp.: 07/31/26; b) AT24D01, Exp.: 04/30/26; AT24E01, AT24E02, Exp.: 05/31/26; AT24G01, Exp.: 07/31/26; c) AT24D01, Exp.: 04/30/26; AT24E01, Exp.: 05/31/26; AT24G01, Exp.: 07/31/26; d) AT24D01, Exp.: 04/30/26; AT24E01, AT24E02, Exp.: 05/31/26; AT24G01, Exp.: 07/31/26; e) AT24E01, Exp.: 05/31/26; AT24G01, Exp.: 07/31/26; f) AT24E01, AT24E02, Exp.: 05/31/26; AT24G01, Exp.: 07/31/26; g) AT24E02, Exp.: 05/31/26.
UPC codes
036800093317, 070038470083, 011110386007, 041415009769

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) LEADER, DISTRIBUTED BY CARDINAL HEALTH, DUBLIN, OHIO 43017, www.myleader.com, NDC 70000-0011-1; b) Good Sense, Distributed By: Perrigo Direct, Inc., Peachtree City, GA 30269, www.PerrigoDirect.com, NDC 50804-110-01; c) Good Neighbor Pharmacy, Distributed By AmerisourceBergen, Conshohocken, PA 19428, NDC 24385-006-05; d) TopCare health, DISTRIBUTED BY TOPCO ASSOCIATES LLC, ELKGROVE VILLAGE, IL 60007, UPC 0 36800 09331 7; e) Best Choice, PROUDLY DISTRIBUTED BY: VALU MERCHANDISERS, CO., KANSAS CITY, KS 66106, UPC 0 70038 47008 3; f) Kroger, DISTRIBUTED BY THE KROGER CO., CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202, UPC 0 11110 38600 7; g) P, DISTRIBUTED BY PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC, LAKELAND, FL 33811, UPC 0 41415 00976 9; h) Quality Choice, Distributed by CDMA Inc, Novi, MI NDC 83324-189-14

Check your product

The notice names 10 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.

  • 036800093317
  • 070038470083
  • 011110386007
  • 041415009769

NDC number

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

  • 70000-0011-1
  • 50804-110-01
  • 24385-006-05
  • 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

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 — This recall is about sterility assurance. It does not mean every unit is contaminated — it means the manufacturer cannot demonstrate that none of them is.

  1. Stop using the affected lot and check the lot number on your own carton or vial against the codes listed above.
  2. Do not use a vial or syringe with visible particles, cloudiness or discolouration, whether or not it is on the recall list.
  3. Call your prescriber or pharmacy today about a replacement from an unaffected lot — do not simply skip doses of a medicine you depend on.
  4. If you are a clinic or pharmacy, quarantine the stock and work it through your usual recall log.

Refunds and replacements

With medicines, a replacement supply matters more than cash, and that is what pharmacies are set up to provide.

  • Ask the dispensing pharmacy for a like-for-like replacement from an unaffected lot. This is the fastest route and usually costs nothing.
  • For a mail-order or online pharmacy, use the recall line listed on this page rather than the general support queue.
  • If the recall voided a fill you had already paid for, your insurer will normally authorise a replacement ahead of schedule. Quote the recall number.
  • If you paid out of pocket, ask for a refund of the co-pay or purchase price and keep the receipt the pharmacy issues.

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 036800093317, 070038470083, 011110386007. 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?

Ask the dispensing pharmacy for a like-for-like replacement from an unaffected lot. This is the fastest route and usually costs nothing.

Where was the recalled product sold?

It was distributed nationwide, including at Kroger, Publix.

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