The CDC and FDA are encouraging purchasers of EzriCare Artificial Tears to cease using the product until additional guidance has been released. The artificial tears have been linked to 55 infections of an extremely antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The 12 states where the infections have been reported so far include: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
Infections of this bacterium have been connected to instances of permanent vision loss, hospitalization, sepsis and one death. Affected people reported using at least one or more of ten brands of artificial tears, with the majority reporting that they used EzriCare Eye Drops.
If you or a loved one have been affected after using EzriCare Eye Drops or a similar product it is your right to seek financial compensation for damages caused by the manufacturing company’s products.
What Are EzriCare Eye Drops?
EzriCare Eye Drops are an over-the-counter, preservative-free eye drop product manufactured by Global Pharma Healthcare Private Limited and is a Delsam Pharma Artificial Tear product.
In reaction to the recent outbreak, Global Pharma initiated a voluntary recall of all unexpired lots of EzriCare Eye Drops and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears.
The CDC has also issued a health alert and the FDA has recommended the product recall due to the company’s failure to meet Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) regulations. Global Pharma’s current violations of FDA CGMP regulations include:
- Lack of appropriate microbial testing
- Lack of adequate preservative in ophthalmic drugs in distributed multi-use bottles
- Lack of proper tamper-evident packaging
What Is the Bacteria Found in EzriCare Eye Drops?
The bacteria responsible for the outbreak is a type of Pseudomonas bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is commonly found in soil and water. In 2017 it was responsible for an estimated 2,600 deaths.
The strain of bacteria responsible for the outbreak has developed an extreme resistance to antibiotics. At least one death so far has been linked to the current outbreak.
The 55 patients aren’t just suffering Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in their eyes. The bacteria has been discovered in the lungs, urinary tracts, bloodstream and rectums of some of the confirmed patients. Many sufferers have the bacteria in more than one location on their body.
When Should I Seek Medical Attention?
If you or a loved one use EzriCare Eye Drops, you should strongly consider heeding the FDA, CDC and manufacturer warning and discontinue using the product immediately. If the product was recommended to you by a healthcare professional, you should stop using EzriCare and contact your preferred healthcare provider for an alternative product to use.
Signs of an infection include:
- Discharge from the eye
- Eye pain or discomfort
- Redness of the eye
- Sensation of something in the eye
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Blurry vision
There have been serious health-related consequences to this outbreak not limited to permanent loss of vision as a result of infection. If you or a loved one are experiencing any of these symptoms after using EzriCare Eye Drops or any other over-the-counter preservative-free eye drops, you may want to stop until regulatory investigators have cleared these types of artificial tear products.
Product Liability Lawyers in Houston
When you purchase a product from an established business like your local pharmacy, you are operating under the assumption that the manufacturer of the product has done their due diligence in creating a product that is safe to use. In instances like the current outbreak, consumers are unfairly burdened with the consequences of a manufacturer’s negligence, like high medical bills and, in extreme cases, even permanent disability.
If you or a loved one have suffered because of the EzriCare Eye Drop bacteria outbreak or from a related outbreak and are in Texas, contact the Weycer Law Firm for a free case consultation. We will seek justice for you and to do our best to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (713) 668-4545.