About The EzriCare & Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears Lawsuit
Due to the seemingly benign nature of artificial tears, most never think to question their safety. However, an incident involving EzriCare & Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears that resulted in CDC and FDA involvement has shaken this sense of security.
India-based pharmaceutical company Global Pharma Healthcare manufactured the artificial tears, which lawsuits allege caused vision loss, blindness, and even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the artificial tears contained a rare, drug-resistant strain of the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which reportedly caused patients to develop a type of drug-resistant bacteria infection never before seen in the United States.
Following the CDC EzriCare investigation, the eye drops were recalled by the FDA and Global Pharma Healthcare—but not before allegedly harming at least 81 patients. Shortly after the 2023 EzriCare eye drops recalls, plaintiffs began filing lawsuits (including individual EzriCare injury claims and artificial tears class actions).
If you suffered from Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections or other health problems following the use of EzriCare or Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. You may also be able to take legal action on behalf of a loved one who passed away due to the contaminated eye drops.
It’s important to act quickly, as litigation may be winding down soon. We recommend completing the sign-up form on this page for a no-cost case evaluation.
EzriCare & Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears: The Risks
EzriCare & Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears were developed and sold to treat minor eye irritation and dryness. Their ingredients, including carboxymethylcellulose sodium, are generally considered safe by regulators when used as directed.
Nonetheless, the eyedrops allegedly caused a slew of serious health problems in some users:
- Vision loss and blindness
- Infections, including sepsis
- Organ damage and failure
- Death
Some affected individuals reportedly also required eye surgery, including eye removal.
According to the Delsam Pharma lawsuits, these devastating outcomes were the result of a dangerous bacterial contamination. During its investigation, the CDC found that some EzriCare & Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears were tainted with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The contamination may have been due to a lack of adequate preservatives.
The bacterium most often thrives in moist places, including stagnant water, soil, and wounds, and does not typically harm healthy humans. However, lab tests revealed that the P. aeruginosa that pervaded the Global Pharma Healthcare artificial tears was a rare, antibiotic-resistant strain: carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA). CRPA infection can be especially difficult to treat with first-line antibiotics, sometimes necessitating prolonged therapy with multiple drugs.
Devastatingly, due to its aggressive nature and antibiotic resistance, CRPA treatment is sometimes unsuccessful and may result in severe complications, including death.
CRPA had never before been seen in the United States prior to the incident; now, 81 cases have allegedly been documented across California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Four of those infected are reported to have died, while four required eye removal. Fourteen others allegedly suffered vision loss.
Who Qualifies For The EzriCare Vision Loss Lawsuit?
You may qualify for the eye infection lawsuit if you meet a few requirements:
- You must have used EzriCare Artificial Tears or Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears or ointment before the February 2023 recall
- You must have been diagnosed with a bacterial infection, especially CRPA or Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- You must provide medical records showing an eye infection, vision loss, blindness, or a systemic bacterial infection linked to the defective drops
- You must have had to receive prolonged antibiotic treatment, surgery (including eye removal or enucleation), or hospitalization
If your loved one passed away after a confirmed infection caused by the contaminated product, you may qualify to make an EzriCare wrongful death claim.
FDA Eye Drops Warning: EzriCare Recall 2023
After patients reported displaying concerning symptoms following EzriCare & Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears use, the CDC opened an investigation that revealed the Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination.
The CDC reported its findings on February 1, 2023, warning consumers not to use the Global Pharma Healthcare artificial tears. Shortly after, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Global Pharma issued formal recalls for the eye drops. There was also an eventual Delsam Pharma Artificial Eye Ointment recall for possible microbial contamination.
The FDA strongly urged consumers not to apply the eye drops or use them for veterinary purposes due to the serious risk.
The EzriCare Blindness Lawsuit Allegations
Shortly after the recalls, patients began filing lawsuits against Global Pharma Healthcare and retailers that sold the contaminated products.
The litigation referenced the FDA’s findings, which claimed that the drug manufacturer violated current good manufacturing practice (CGMP) through a “lack of appropriate microbial testing, formulation issues, and lack of proper controls concerning tamper-evident packaging.”
Plaintiffs further accused Global Pharma Healthcare of:
- Negligence: Global Pharma reasonably should have known of the contamination dangers but failed to take mitigating steps
- Failure to warn: Global Pharma neglected to warn consumers of the product’s health risks
- Manufacturing defects: Global Pharma did not use CGMP and failed to conduct proper safety testing before selling the product
Retailers like Walmart and Amazon were also sued for allegedly distributing an unsafe product.
I’m Ready To Join The Global Pharma Healthcare Lawsuit: What’s Next?
If you believe you or a loved one qualifies for the EzriCare lawsuit, you deserve accountability. The best way to fully understand your legal rights is by speaking with an experienced attorney. By filling out the sign-up form at the top of the page, you’ll be connected with a lawyer in the OCA network.
Attorneys taking on these cases typically work on a contingency fee basis. This means you generally pay nothing upfront and a portion of your EzriCare settlement or compensation if your case is successful.
The OCA team is here to support you on your road to justice. Act now to receive your confidential case evaluation for no charge.
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