The chapter explores the proliferation of store brand generic pharmaceuticals by major drug stores in the US, uncovering challenges in identifying manufacturers and FDA inspection reports revealing sanitation and quality issues. It also delves into the investigation of eye drop recalls, shedding light on the lack of transparency in the manufacturing process and comparing CVS and Walgreens in terms of safety concerns with their store-brand health products.
One factory making pain and fever medications for children used contaminated water. Another made drugs for kids that were too potent. A third made nasal sprays for babies on the same machines it used to produce pesticides. A new Bloomberg investigation reveals that big pharmacy chains have used cheaper, independent factories with a history of manufacturing violations to make store-brand drugs that compete with the likes of Motrin and Tums.
Today on the podcast, host David Gura speaks with national health care reporter Anna Edney about her new research into the factories making tainted drugs. She reveals that one pharmacy chain has had nearly double the recalls of its closest competitor – and the loophole that shielded all of these pharmacy chains from liability.
Read more: Dozens of CVS Generic Drug Recalls Expose Link to Tainted Factories
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