An 81-year-old in Elsmere, Ky., has filed a lawsuit against Global Pharma Healthcare, claiming that its product, EzriCare Artificial Tears, caused an infection in her eye that led to countless medical appointments, multiple surgeries and an eight-day hospital stay, according to a Nov. 15 report from USA Today.
In February, Global Pharma recalled its Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops distributed by EzriCare and Delsam Pharma following reports of a rare strain of bacteria that can cause infection, eye loss and even patient death. The drops have since been linked to four patient deaths, four patient eyeball removals, and 14 patients who have suffered permanent vision loss.
In another health warning issued last month, the FDA advised consumers to dispose of an additional 26 eye drop products.
In addition, an FDA investigation into Global Pharma's manufacturing plant found that the facility did not follow the proper protocol to prevent product contamination at its production facilities.
The Kentucky resident suing Global Pharma purchased EzriCare at Walmart and online through amazon.com. On June 1, 2022, she went to her eye doctor complaining of pain, discharge, redness and blurry vision.
One day later she was admitted to the hospital's ICU, where she stayed for eight days while she recovered from sepsis. The care team tested her eye and detected the strain of antibiotic-resistant bacteria "consistent with her use of the contaminated product," according to her lawsuit.
The lawsuit also names Walmart, Amazon, EzriCare and Aru Pharma as defendants.