To: All healthcare facilities in Colorado
From: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
The FDA is warning consumers and health care practitioners not to purchase and immediately discontinue using EzriCare Artificial Tears, Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears, or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Eye Ointment until further notice due to potential bacterial contamination with a rare, extensively drug-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.
These over-the-counter products are intended to be sterile. Using contaminated artificial tears increases risk of eye infections that could result in blindness or death. As of January 31, 2023, CDC identified 55 patients in 12 states with infections that have been linked by epidemiologic and laboratory evidence to the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears.
People who use EzriCare Artificial Tears and have signs or symptoms of an infection, such as discharge from the eye, pain or discomfort, redness of the eye or eyelid, feeling of something in the eye, increased sensitivity to light, or blurry vision, should contact a health care provider and seek medical attention as soon as possible. People who have used EzriCare Artificial Tears, but are not experiencing any symptoms of infection do not need to seek testing or treatment.
These products are manufactured by Global Pharma Healthcare Private Limited. Global Pharma initiated a voluntary recall at the consumer level of all unexpired lots of EzriCare Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears. Additionally, the FDA recommended that Global Pharma recall Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Eye Ointment, and the firm agreed to initiate a recall.
For additional information, read the full articles (included below):
· FDA warns consumers not to purchase or use EzriCare Artificial Tears due to potential contamination.