Error limits CIBA's lens care supply into 2006

Giant contact lens company CIBA Vision has stopped making several of its lens care lines 'until at least spring 2006' due to human error which could have possibly contaminated production.

The error, which has taken place at CIBA's Canadian manufacturing plant, has led to a recall of eye drops in Canada by parent company Novartis.

In this country, CIBA Vision UK managing director Howard Barnes has written to practitioners warning them there will be supply restrictions on a number of solutions for several months until the matter is resolved. However, in his letter Barnes has written there is no need for a product recall.

'Please rest assured, any product you currently have in stock has not been affected by this issue and therefore you can be confident in continuing to supply your patients with these products,' he wrote. 'All stock in UK distribution channels passed every quality test and meets all release specifications.'

Affected products are: Focus Aqua, AOsept Plus, AQuify, Solo-care Hard, Miraflow, and Saline, although the CIBA Vision UK boss was at pains to point out that the restrictions do not affect 'Value Packs' of Focus Aqua and AOsept Plus.

Barnes described the introduction of restrictions as coming about, 'through human error, of a non-sterile lubricant to the production environment at our global manufacturing site in Canada'. As a precautionary measure the company has temporarily suspended production to allow a thorough re-cleaning of all manufacturing lines.

He has also advised practitioners that from November 21 the company will no longer be marketing Focus Aqua flat bottle packs, so CIBA's Value Pack direct to patient service will be discontinued.

'If you currently have patients registered to receive Value Packs direct to their home or work address we will contact you in the next few days,' Barnes stated, adding that the change did not alter the round bottle three-month and six-month Value Packs.

In Canada the federal government department that is responsible for health issues warned consumers not to use eye drops which have been affected by the same problem.