The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) yesterday issued an alert over counterfeit eye drops sold in two shops here.

The eye drops were fraudulently labelled as "Eye Mo Regular" and "Eye Mo Moist" from pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). They came in 7.5ml packs.

The HSA found the eye drops to be of poor quality, with bacterial contamination.

This is the first such case here, and investigations are ongoing, HSA said.

It was first alerted to the products being sold at a provision shop late last year. These products were immediately seized by HSA and GSK confirmed they were fake.

HSA has since conducted islandwide surveillance and seized similar eye drops from another shop.

It named the shops - Eskimo Frozen Foods located at 36 Chai Chee Avenue, and H.J. Ventures at 150A Bishan Street 11.

Based on investigations, the counterfeit eye drops were found in only one size, HSA said.

While the quantities seized were limited, it said that the counterfeit eye drops can cause eye infections and potentially lead to serious complications such as corneal ulcers and blindness.

Those who suspect that they have bought counterfeit Eye Mo products may e-mail sg.customer-relations@gsk.com or call 1800-622-7238. Those who bought the counterfeit products are advised to discard them.

Anyone found to be selling or distributing counterfeit health products faces a fine of $100,000, up to three years in jail, or both.

Jalelah Abu Baker