CVS-branded nasal spray for babies recalled after finding it is made with ‘machines used to produce pesticides’

Scores of generic medicines produced in-house by pharmacy chain CVS have been recalled over the last decade after they were found to have been produced in unsanitary conditions, according to a report.

For example, CVS-branded nasal sprays intended for infants were recalled after the machines used to produce them were also used to make pesticides, Bloomberg News reported on Monday.

Another children’s medication used to relieve fever and pain was recalled after the factory in which it was made was found to have used contaminated water, according to Food and Drug Administration data reviewed by the outlet.

In the last 10 years, CVS has recalled 133 over-the-counter generic drugs due to safety concerns — nearly twice as many as Walgreens and almost three times as many as Walmart, according to an analysis which found that the retailer has relied on low-cost manufacturing that came at the expense of safety and quality.

In 2019, FDA inspectors visited a Florida facility belonging to Unipharma, a contract manufacturer used by CVS. The inspectors reportedly found that water used in the drug-making process contained a bacteria that could be deadly to children with compromised immune systems.

CVS ended up recalling several of its over-the-counter generic drugs including cherry-flavored pain and fever medicine for kids, mixed berry children’s allergy relief and pineapple-flavored children’s cough syrups — all of which were produced by the now-defunct Florida manufacturer.