Alert: FDA issues eye drop recall due to bacterial contamination
Consumer Law,Defective Products - May 24, 2023 by Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates
Are you experiencing symptoms such as blurred vision, sensitivity to light, or redness or swelling of the eye? You may have been infected with Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia), a bacteria recently found in bottles of artificial tears and lubricant eye drops.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall of several eye products:
- EzriCare Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops (produced by Global Pharma Healthcare)
- DELSAM Pharma’s Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops (produced by Global Pharma Healthcare)
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has linked these products to reports of eye infections, permanent loss of vision, and death by bloodstream infection.
If you or a family member are using EzriCare or DELSAM products, you should stop using them immediately and contact a doctor.
Your legal options
If you suffered injury or lost a loved one due to these contaminated eye drops, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Illinois product liability law holds manufacturers and distributors responsible for the safety of their products.
When a product is found to be defective or dangerous, victims may be able to file lawsuits against the manufacturer and/or distributor.
Possible compensation for contaminated eye drops
If you’re eligible to file a defective product lawsuit, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Other damages directly related to the injury
If you lost a loved one to an infection caused by eye drops, you could be entitled to file an eye drop lawsuit. Call our Chicago defective product lawyers at (800) 985-1819 to see if you qualify.
Eye drop contamination symptoms
Bacterial contamination in eye drops can cause a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild irritation to serious infections. Some of the symptoms you may experience after using contaminated eye drops include:
- Redness and swelling of the eye
- Pain or discomfort in the eye
- Discharge or pus coming from the eye
- Blurred or hazy vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Feeling like something is in your eye
- Fever or other signs of infection
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms after using eye drops, seek medical attention immediately. Your doctor can perform an examination and determine if you have an infection. If an infection is present, it is crucial to receive treatment promptly to prevent further damage to your eyes.
Recall details
The recall of these eye drops is due to the presence of a bacteria called Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia). This bacterium is often resistant to common antibiotics and can be very difficult to treat. In some cases, infections caused by B. cepacia can lead to sepsis, which is a life-threatening blood infection.
The affected eye drops were sold nationwide in retail stores and online. Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled products immediately and dispose of them properly.
The FDA released a statement detailing its decision to place Global Pharma Healthcare on import alert for violating proper manufacturing practices.
“FDA recommended this recall due to the company’s current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) violations, including lack of appropriate microbial testing, formulation issues, and lack of proper controls concerning tamper-evident packaging.”
Think you may have been affected by contaminated eye drops? We can help.
If you or a loved one purchased the EzriCare or Delsam eye products and are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, call our firm immediately. Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates can take the necessary steps to protect your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve. Call (800) 985-1819 today.
