A series of serious bacterial infections, some resulting in vision loss and even death, have been linked to EzriCare and Delsam Pharma’s artificial tears drops. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers and health care providers to cease the use of these artificial tears products, citing the increased risk of eye infections that could cause blindness or death.
Global Pharma, the manufacturer of the EzriCare and Delsam Pharma Artificial Eye Ointment, initiated a voluntary recall of all unexpired artificial tears products. The FDA has mandated this recall due to the company’s significant violations of current good manufacturing practice regulations (CGMP). These infractions include a failure in appropriate microbial testing, formulation problems (production and distribution of ophthalmic drugs without preservatives in multi-use bottles), as well as inadequate control protocols concerning tamper-evident packaging.
In this article, we will discuss:
- EzriCare recalled eye drops linked to an infection outbreak
- First detection of contaminated eye drops
- Dangers of contaminated eye drops
- Filing a personal injury claim for defective pharmaceuticals
- Filing a wrongful death claim for deaths due to contaminated products
- How to file an EzriCare eye drop lawsuit
Did you use contaminated EzriCare eye drops?
Recalled Eye Drops Linked to Infection Outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have identified 68 people located in 16 states that have developed eye infections. Of these numbers, four patients have had an enucleation (removal of the eyeball), three patients have died, and eight have reports of vision loss.
After an extensive 11-day evaluation of the Global Pharma plant, FDA inspectors made eleven observations — with one being a “manufacturing process without assurances of product sterility,”, particularly for all batches created between December 2020 and April 2022 that were shipped to America.
The CDC confirmed the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in opened bottles of the product and will further investigate unopened containers to determine whether any contamination occurred during production.
What is Pseudomonas Aeruginosa?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacteria that can cause serious, long-term illnesses in human beings. It is commonly found in damp environments such as soil and water. It’s notorious for being resilient to conventional antibiotics and continues to evade medical treatment even today.
The Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria has been linked to pneumonia, sepsis, and bacteremia, which is 18 to 61 percent fatal. Once the bacteria infect the eye, it can cause further damage by spreading to other parts of the body or organs.
What makes this bacteria even more troubling is that it is a drug-resistant bacteria. It is highly resistant to most antibiotics, making this deadly bacteria difficult to treat. There was at least one case of infection from the contaminated eye drops that caused sepsis which led to the death of one user.
First Detection
The Associated Press shared that in May 2022, a patient in Los Angeles County, California had visited their ophthalmologist and reported an eye infection.
In the months to follow, local health officials identified several additional cases of eye inflammation in patients who displayed thick yellow pus filling their pupils and coating much of their eyes.
Throughout the year, multiple states reported cases of drug-resistant Pseudomonas. In January this year, lab tests confirmed that cases in Florida, California, Utah, and Connecticut shared the same drug-resistant bacteria strain.
Dangers of Contaminated Eye Drops
Not only can these eye drop products cause an eye infection, but they may also cause infections in other parts of the body. This is because the eye connects to the nasal cavity through tear ducts, the bacteria then travels from the nasal cavity into the lungs. In extreme cases, this bacterial infection may spread to the bloodstream, as was the case with one reported fatality.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are commonplace in healthcare settings. According to CDC data, at least 37 cases of contamination from the eyedrop-linked strain have been connected back to four healthcare facilities.
Symptoms of infection from the contaminated eye drops include:
- Eye pain or discomfort in the eye
- Discharge from the eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision
- Redness and inflammation of the eye
The risk of infection from the contaminated eye drops is not limited to the use of the recalled eye drops, the drug-resistant infection may also spread to those who have not used the eye drops. Several cases of the bacteria outbreak have been found in asymptomatic people. The infection may easily spread through the lack of proper hand hygiene.
Reports share that this particular strain of bacteria has never before been reported in the US.
Used contaminated eye drops?
Filing a Personal Injury Claim for Contaminated Eye Drops
Defective product claims fall under product liability law, which holds manufacturers, distributors, and sellers liable for injuries or damages caused by their defective products. In the case of the contaminated eye drops, the manufacturer, Global Pharma, may be held legally responsible for the injuries and losses suffered by consumers.
To pursue a successful defective product claim, you will need to establish the following elements:
- Product Defect: Demonstrate that the eye drops or artificial tears were defective and posed a risk of harm to consumers. In this case, the presence of the harmful bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the eye drops serves as evidence of the product defect.
- Negligence or Breach of Duty: Prove that Global Pharma was negligent in manufacturing, testing, or distributing the eye drops, or that they breached their duty of care to consumers. The FDA’s warning and subsequent product recall indicate potential negligence on the part of the manufacturer.
- Causation: It must be shown that the use of the contaminated eye drops directly caused your injuries or losses. Medical records, expert testimonies, and other evidence can establish the link between the eye drops and the harm suffered.
- Damages: Document the extent of your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other damages resulting from the use of the contaminated eye drops. Keeping detailed records and seeking medical attention promptly can help substantiate your claim.
EzriCare Linked to Deaths – Filing a Wrongful Death Claim
Tragically, the contaminated EzriCare and Delsam Pharma eye drops and artificial tears have been associated with several deaths across the United States. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning, alerting consumers and healthcare providers about the increased risk of serious bacterial infections caused by these products. Some of these infections have led to vision loss and even fatalities.
Reports have emerged of patients who suffered severe eye infections after using the contaminated eye drops, leading to serious complications and tragic outcomes. The bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, present in the contaminated eye drops, can be particularly dangerous, especially for those with compromised immune systems or pre-existing health conditions.
In extreme cases, the bacteria can spread from the eye to other parts of the body, causing severe infections such as pneumonia, sepsis, and bacteremia. Unfortunately, there have been instances where the infection spread through the bloodstream, resulting in fatalities.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim Due to Defective Pharmaceuticals
Losing a loved one due to the negligence of a pharmaceutical company is an unbearable tragedy. If you have lost a family member or loved one as a result of the contaminated EzriCare eye drops and artificial tears, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim against the manufacturer, Global Pharma.
A wrongful death claim seeks to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions and seeks compensation for the losses and damages suffered by the surviving family members. Although no amount of compensation can ever replace the loss of a loved one, seeking justice can provide closure and financial support during this difficult time.
In wrongful death claims related to defective products, it is crucial to have experienced legal representation by your side. Farahi Law Firm’s compassionate and skilled attorneys have extensive experience handling complex product liability cases, including wrongful death claims. We are dedicated to fighting for the rights of our clients and obtaining the justice they deserve.
If your loved one died due to contaminated EzriCare or Delsam Pharma products
Hire an EzriCare Eye Drop Lawsuit Lawyer Today!
If you or a loved one have been affected by the EzriCare and Delsam Pharma eye drop recall, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim for injuries and/or wrongful death.
Defective product claims and wrongful death lawsuits can be very complex. It is in your best interest to have an experienced personal injury lawyer by your side to ensure you receive medical care, your rights are protected, and you recover the maximum compensation possible.
You must hold the erring manufacturers responsible for their negligence. Farahi Law Firm’s team of lawyers has years of experience recovering millions of dollars in compensation for hundreds of clients.
Find out if you have a case today! Call us at (844) 824-2955 for a free case consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t need to pay us a single cent unless we win.
We are available 24/7! We speak English, Spanish, and Filipino.
