Several people were blinded or had their eyes surgically removed, and at least four died after using EzriCare or Delsam Pharma eye drops made by Global Pharma Healthcare Private Limited. The now-recalled eye drops were sold over-the-counter to treat dry or irritated eyes. Public health officials discovered the eye drops were contaminated with drug-resistant bacteria. Several users of the eye drops, and their loved ones, have filed lawsuits against the manufacturer seeking compensation for the harm they say the eye drops caused them.
How Officials Linked Infections to the EzriCare Recalled Eye Drops
On Jan. 20, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned consumers to stop using EzriCare Artificial Tears after identifying a multistate cluster of infections of the antibiotic-resistant bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 50 patients in 11 states who had used the eye drops.
On Feb. 2, EzriCare makers Global Pharma Healthcare recalled all lots of EzriCare Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears eye drops, due to potential contamination concerns. Over the next two weeks, the number of infected climbed to 55. Reports included eye infections, permanent vision impairment, and one fatality stemming from a bloodstream infection in a patient.
According to the release, the FDA recommended this recall “due to the company’s current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) violations, including lack of appropriate microbial testing, formulation issues (the company manufactures and distributes ophthalmic drugs in multi-use bottles, without an adequate preservative), and lack of proper controls concerning tamper-evident packaging.”
On Feb. 21, Global Pharma Healthcare expanded the recall to include Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Eye Ointment due to possible bacterial contamination.
On May 15, the CDC reported 81 patients across 18 states infected by this drug-resistant strain of P. aeruginosa—a strain that had not been detected in the U.S. before. Among those infected were 14 cases of vision loss, including four enucleations (surgical removal of the eyeball), and four fatalities.
The CDC tested opened bottles of EzriCare Artificial Tears and matched the strain seen in patients. The agency also began testing unopened bottles of eye drops to test for contamination. People who used the recalled eye drops and showed signs of infection are encouraged to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Signs of infection include yellow, green, or clear discharge from the eye, pain or discomfort in the eye, redness of the eyelid or eye, or blurry vision.
What Brands Are Included in the Eye Drops Recall?
The recalled eye drops were manufactured by Global Pharma Healthcare and distributed by either Delsam Pharma or EzriCare, LLC. Affected products include:
- EzriCare Artificial Tears
- Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears
- Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Eye Ointment
If you or a loved one used any of these products and suffered an infection, you may have grounds to seek compensation for your medical bills and other losses through an EzriCare Artificial Tears lawsuit.
What Can I Be Compensated for in an EzriCare Eye Drops Lawsuit?
The specific damages you can recover for your damages can vary depending on the circumstances of the case, the jurisdiction you're in, and the applicable laws. Here are some potential types of damages you might seek:
- Medical expenses: You may be able to recover the costs of medical treatment related to the eye infection caused by the contaminated eye drops. This could include hospitalization, doctor's visits, medication, surgery, and any other necessary medical procedures.
- Lost income earnings: If your infection caused you to miss work or resulted in a loss of income, you might be able to seek compensation for lost wages or income. This can include both current and future lost earnings if the infection led to long-term or permanent disability.
- Pain and suffering: In some cases, you might be entitled to compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological suffering caused by the infection and its effects. This can be more challenging to quantify, as it involves subjective experiences.
- Disfigurement or disability: If the infection resulted in disfigurement (such as scarring or removal of your eye) or permanent disability (such as vision loss), you could seek damages to address the impact these changes have on your quality of life and daily functioning.
- Loss of consortium: If the infection has affected your relationships with family members or a spouse, they might be able to seek damages for the loss of companionship, affection, and support they've experienced as a result of your injury.
Laws regarding damages can vary widely by jurisdiction and the specific facts of the case. Consult with an experienced product liability attorney to understand your rights and the potential damages available to you based on the laws in your area.
An Experienced Product Liability Lawyer Can Assist with Your Recalled Eye Drops Case
Infections linked to recalled EzriCare and Delsam eye drops have resulted in serious injuries. If you or a loved one suffered a bacterial infection after using these recalled eye drops, or your loved one died from their injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for your medical bills and other losses through an EzriCare Artificial Tears lawsuit. Contact the Lawsuit Legal News team to see if you qualify. Call us today at 866-467-0943 or complete our online contact form for a free consultation.