Drugmaker Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has undertaken a voluntary recall of some of its ophthalmic products in the domestic market, with reports suggesting that 11 eyedrops were withdrawn.While the voluntary action is being appreciated, public health experts are calling for greater transparency involving specifics on why the eyedrops were recalled, besides seeking regulatory intervention and advisory for those who may have already used the drops.“We have initiated a proactive voluntary withdrawal of some ophthalmic products as a matter of abundant precaution. Product quality and patient safety are important to us and remedial measures have been put in place,” a spokesperson for Sun Pharma told businessline, responding to a report that indicated 11 eye drops had been withdrawn.Details were not outlined on the remedial measures, reasons behind the recall, or where the products were manufactured.Dr Santanu Tripathi, a senior clinical pharmacologist, told businessline, the voluntary recall by the company, “perhaps due to quality/contamination concerns,” was appreciated. However, the company needed “to exercise greater transparency and clearly spell out the specific reason behind this recall decision.”Besides, he added. the recall needs to be supplemented with “in-parallel, pro-active role by the regulators, particularly at the State Drugs Control levels, in regard to enforcing prompt cessation of sale and distribution of the products with specified batch/lot numbers,” he said.In public interest, he asked, “what about the preparations already sold/dispensed and are being used by the patients at households, at clinics and hospitals? Should this information not be widely circulated among practising ophthalmologists, hospital administrators and hospital stores managers, nurses, and patients at large such that they too stop further use of these products.”Attempts should be made to explore if any patients consuming these products have already had any adverse experience, he said, adding that it should be reported. “In cases there is a causal association with use of such products, the concerned patients must be compensated. Regulators must act promptly, and investigate into the matter,” he added.According to industry tracker Pharmatrac, for the 12 months up to June 2026, the ophthalmology segment is pegged at ₹4,721 crore, and the eyedrops segment accounts for a lion’s share at ₹3,521 crore.Published on August 3, 2026