Eye drops distributed and manufactured by Aru Pharma, EzriCare, and Delsam Pharma, all under Global Pharma Healthcare, as well as the Pharmedica product Purely Soothing 15% MSM Drops, have recently been voluntarily recalled. According to officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 55 people have suffered injuries and illnesses after using the eye drops, which might have been contaminated by an antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria. Numerous consumers in 12 states so far have suffered eye injuries and vision loss, and one person has died from a bloodstream infection caused by the bacteria.
Global Pharma Healthcare and the CDC are urging people to immediately discontinue the use of Aru Pharma, EzriCare, and Delsam Pharma eye drop products. Retailers and wholesalers have been instructed to immediately take those products off the shelves and discard them. Anyone who recently used the products and is now suffering eye injury symptoms should seek urgent medical attention.
Eye injury symptoms that could be caused by bacteria-contaminated eye drops include:
- Eye strain
- Eye redness
- Blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Pain or discomfort in the eye
- Migraines
What Eye Drops are Unsafe?
The unsafe eye drops have been recalled for causing eye infections, eye injuries, vision loss, and one confirmed death.
Eye drops identified in the large-scale recall are:
- EzriCare Artificial Tears eye drops:
- NDC Number 79503-0101-15
- UPC Number 3 79503 10115 7
- Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears and Lubricant eye drops:
- NDC Number 72570-121-15
- UPC Number 72570-0121-15
- Purely Soothing 15% MSM Drops:
- LOT Number 2203PS01
- LOT Number 1808051
- UPC Number 7-31034-91379-9
- UPC Number 7-31034-91382-9
- Clear Eyes eye drops:
- LOT Number 114349
- LOT Number 117396
- LOT Number 120128
- LOT Number 114371
- LOT Number 123781
What Should Consumers Do?
Stop the use of recalled eye drops immediately. However, do not discard the eye drops right away. Instead, seal the bottle tightly, secure it in a place inaccessible to pets and children, and wash your hands thoroughly when done. The reason you should hold onto the eye drops for now is that they could be crucial for your injury claim or class action lawsuit later. Again, do not use the recalled and possibly contaminated eye drops under any circumstances.
Will the Manufacturers Be Liable?
Strict product liability laws can likely be used to hold Global Pharma Healthcare liable for the harm caused by its eye drop products that were contaminated with bacteria. It is likely that the bacterial contamination occurred during the manufacturing process due to a defect or safety oversight, too. As such, it is expected that individual claims will start adding up against the manufacturer. If enough people come forward with eye injuries caused by the eye drops, then multidistrict litigation (MDL) or a class action lawsuit might become necessary.
Our attorneys from Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen are paying close attention to this developing situation. As a law firm that has handled major product recall and defect cases like those involving AVASTIN®, we are prepared to take claims against Global Pharma Healthcare and any other liable parties for distributing unsafe and potentially fatal eye drops. Our investigation will benefit more and more as the number of potential clients increases, so please don’t hesitate to dial (866) 629-1061. Our trial lawyers are headquartered in South Florida, but we offer FREE consultations to potential eye drop injury clients nationwide.
