Could the eye drops be the cause of the death of one patient and the loss of vision of eight others? This is the suspicion of the US health authorities, who recommend that health professionals and patients stop using artificial drops of the EzriCare and Delsam Pharma brands, the BBC points out.
And for good reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified 68 patients in 16 US states as carrying a rare strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. It had never been detected in the country before and most of those infected said they had used eye drops, the CDC notes.
The bacteria identified in the products
Ten brands were initially identified before the Indian-made EzriCare and Delsam Pharma products were specifically selected by the CDC and pulled from shelves in February by the parent company of the two brands, Global Pharma. It also issued a product recall.
Analysis revealed that open bottles of product taken from contaminated patients contained the bacteria. Unopened batches are also being tested for contamination during the manufacturing process of the eye drops.
Vision loss and surgical removals
One of the infected patients died, eight others suffered vision loss and four had to have their eyes surgically removed. A victim who lost one of her eyes decided to sue the pharmacist.
For its part, the company EzriCare recalls that ongoing analyzes have not yet shown a direct link between its products and the epidemic.
“Wherever possible, we have communicated with customers to advise them against continuing to use the product,” a spokesperson for the brand said, adding that they have contacted health authorities to inform them of their “willingness to cooperate”. .
The Food and Drug Administration, the authority responsible for drug marketing authorization, also issued recall notices last week for several eye drops produced by the brands Pharmedica and Apotex after the latter voluntarily pulled them from shelves. .
Source: BFM TV
