A new analysis has revealed the dangers of buying CVS’ own-brand drugs.
FDA data shows America’s largest pharmacy chain recalled 133 over-the-counter medicines over the last decade, or about one a month.
That was more than twice as many as its competitor Walgreens, which had 70 recalls over the same period, and three times more than Walmart, which had 51 recalls.
The reasons for the CVS recalls included drugs being infested with bacteria, mold growing in factory ventilators, peeling paint and barefoot workers in factories and pills containing incorrect doses.
Own-brand eye drops were the CVS products most likely to be recalled over the last decade, followed by own-brand constipation drugs — such as magnesium citrate tablets — and those for treating colds and flus.
Recalled products were manufactured by companies based in China and India, as well as some in the US — including Tennessee and Florida.
CVS has seen its recalls rise in recent years, recording less than ten a year from 2014 to 2018 but above this number for four out of six years since then.
So far this year, the chain has recorded 11 recalls — mostly for eye drops, cough medicines and drugs for treating constipation.