CLINIC TOLD TO STOP SELLING EYEDROPS CONTAINING PLACENTA

An Edmonton eye centre has been selling eyedrops that it claims have human placenta in it. In a notice posted Sunday to its website, Health Canada said it recalled Regener-Eyes Ophthalmic Solution and told the Calgary Trail Vision Centre to stop importing and selling the product, which is not authorized for sale in Canada. “Health Canada has not authorized any health products containing human placenta in Canada, as they may pose serious health risks,” the public health authority said in a news release. “Human placenta is a biologic material and can contain infectious agents such as bacteria ... and viruses (e.g. HIV, or hepatitis). The Department will not hesitate to take additional enforcement actions in this case as necessary to protect the health and safety of Canadians.” The eye clinic said it has been told by Health Canada it cannot speak to media. The company’s website says the eyedrops are a “bioengineered protein-based fluid, extracted from human placental-derived biomaterials ... from healthy pregnancies.”