EzriCare Eye Drops Lawsuit – What You Need To Know

Eye drops are a prevalent type of medication that is utilized to manage a wide range of eye-related illnesses, including dry eyes, allergies, glaucoma, and infections. The medication is administered directly to the eye, circumventing the digestive system, and hastening the healing process, thereby providing more targeted and faster results.

Typically, eye drops provide rapid relief for uncomfortable eye symptoms, such as irritation, redness, and itchiness, and have minimal side effects, making them a safe and convenient choice for many. Eye drops are an effective method for managing various eye conditions and enhancing eye health, which is why they are frequently used and trusted by people.

Eye drops are considered reliable by people because healthcare professionals often prescribe them and have undergone extensive testing and approval by regulatory agencies. However, on February 3, 2023, Global Pharma Healthcare, the manufacturer of EzriCare Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops and Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops, recalled the products due to a possible bacterial contamination risk reported by the CDC. The recall has since been expanded to include Delsam Pharma Artificial Eye Ointment as of Feb. 22.

The local The Lovely Law Firm Injury Lawyers, can provide assistance in obtaining compensation if you have suffered an infection following the use of EzriCare Eye Drops or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears or Artificial Eye Ointment. You may be eligible to file an EzriCare eye drops lawsuit with our help. It is our mission to provide you not only with legal representation, but also help victims obtain the compensation they deserve after experiencing the effects of the highly dangerous bacteria found in these eye drop products.

This article discusses:

• What Are EzriCare Eye Drops And Where Are They Sold
• EzriCare Eye Drops Recall
• Pseudomonas Aeruginosa – What Is It & How Do You Treat It?
• Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Treatment
• EzriCare Class Action Lawsuit

What Are EzriCare Eye Drops And Where Are They Sold

EzriCare eye drops, officially known as EzriCare Artificial Tears lubricant eye drops, are a type of medicated eye drops manufactured by Global Pharma Healthcare. According to the product description, the main purpose of EzriCare Artificial Tears is to:

• As a preventative measure against further irritation or as a means of alleviating eye dryness
• As a temporary relief of discomfort caused by minor irritations of the eye or exposure to wind or sunlight

EzriCare eye drops are a preservative-free type of eye drops. Preservative-free eye drops are recommended for those that use eye drops 4 or more times a day. This is mainly due to the fact that preservatives can further irritate and damage the eyes through extended use. Typically, preservative-free eye drops are distributed in single-use bottles, however, EzriCare distributes their artificial tears in multi-use bottles, increasing the risk of contamination and the spread of bacteria.

EzriCare eye drops, as well as Delsam Pharma’s artificial tears and eye ointment, were available for purchase through multiple platforms including:

• Walmart
• Amazon
• EzriCare website

EzriCare Eye Drops Recall

The EzriCare eye drops recall was first initiated after the Centers for Disease Control began to investigate reports of an outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This outbreak strain had never been reported in the United States, previously.

The outbreak has spread to at least 13 states, with 58 confirmed cases, including one death and cases of permanent vision loss. In response, Global Pharma Healthcare, the manufacturer of the products, voluntarily recalled all lots of EzriCare and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears on February 1, 2023. However, the FDA criticized the manufacturer for failing to comply with current good manufacturing requirements and providing an “inadequate response” to a governmental records request.

Investigations by the CDC found that infected individuals had used various brands, but a majority had used EzriCare artificial tears. Bacterial contamination was found in opened bottles of the product collected from infected and uninfected individuals in two different states. It remains unclear whether the contamination occurred during manufacturing or after the bottles were opened. There is concern that the antibiotic-resistant infection could spread to other locations as the products were sold nationwide through online vendors, including Amazon and Walmart.

According to the CDC’s update report as of February 21, 2023, patients reported using over 10 different brands of artificial tears, with some using multiple brands. However, EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free, over-the-counter product packaged in multidose bottles, was the most commonly reported brand. It was the only artificial tears product identified in all four healthcare facility clusters. Laboratory testing conducted by the CDC revealed the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in opened bottles of EzriCare from multiple lots. These bottles were collected from patients with and without eye infections in two different states. The Pseudomonas aeruginosa recovered from the opened products matches the outbreak strain. Further testing of unopened bottles of EzriCare Artificial Tears is ongoing to determine if contamination occurred during the manufacturing process.

Consumers are advised to stop using the recalled products immediately and seek medical attention if they experience any symptoms of infection, including eye redness, pain, or discharge, as well as fever or chills.

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa – What Is It & How Do You Treat It?

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a type of bacteria that is commonly found in the environment, such as in water and soil. It can be transmitted to individuals in healthcare facilities through contaminated equipment, surfaces, or hands, and may result in severe infections in certain cases. The ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to resist antibiotics has made its eradication increasingly challenging. This is due to the bacterium’s remarkable capacity to utilize intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms to counter most antibiotics.

Although some healthy individuals may carry strains of pseudomonas on their skin in moist areas such as the armpits or genital region, which can lead to mild infections like skin rashes, ear, or eye infections, those with weakened immune systems or pre-existing health conditions may be at higher risk for severe pseudomonas infections. Patients with conditions such as cystic fibrosis, cancer, or burns are particularly susceptible to severe infections, which can be life-threatening. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading causes of hospital-acquired infections. Signs and symptoms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa include:

• Eye pain & discomfort
• Feeling as if something is in the eye
• Green, yellow, or clear discharge from eye
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Blurry vision
• Redness in the eye or eyelid

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Treatment

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are typically treated with antibiotics. However, these infections are becoming more difficult to treat in healthcare settings, such as hospitals or nursing homes, due to increasing antibiotic resistance. Healthcare providers send a specimen, called a culture, to the laboratory and test any bacteria that grows against a set of antibiotics to determine the most effective antibiotic for a specific infection. The provider selects an appropriate antibiotic based on the antibiotic’s activity and other factors, such as potential side effects or drug interactions. Treatment options may be limited for some types of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

EzriCare Class Action Lawsuit

On February 9, 2023, a consumer class action lawsuit concerning the contaminated EzriCare Artificial Tears eye drops was filed in federal court against:

• EzriCare LLC
• EzriRx LLC
• Delsam Pharma LLC
• Global Pharma Healthcare Private Ltd.
• Aru Pharma Inc.

The lawsuit alleges that the defendants were aware or should have been aware of the contamination but failed to disclose this information to the public and misrepresented the safety of the product. It is expected that more personal injury lawsuits will follow. The case aims to represent all individuals who purchased EzriCare Artificial Tears and/or Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears for personal use in the United States or its territories between May 1, 2022, and the present and seeks to provide full refunds to affected individuals.

Call The Lovely Law Firm in South Carolina Today To Learn More About EzriCare Eye Drops Lawsuit

If you or a loved one has experienced adverse reactions, quality control issues, blindness, or even death due to the use of EzriCare or Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The Lovely Law Firm Injury Lawyers is here to help you through this difficult time. Our experienced team of attorneys can assist you in navigating the lawsuit process, including filing a personal injury claim or joining the class action lawsuit. We offer a free consultation to review your case and discuss your legal options. Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. Call us today at 843-281-7205 to learn how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.

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