The CDC and FDA are recommending that clinicians and patients stop using EzriCare or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears products. The eyedrops have been linked to a multistate outbreak of an extensively drug-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
The CDC has identified 68 patients in 16 states with Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Verona integron-mediated metallo-β-lactamase and Guiana extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (VIM-GES-CRPA). There have been reports of 3 patient deaths, 8 patients with vision loss, and 4 patients requiring enucleation.
EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free, over-the-counter product packaged in multidose bottles, was the brand most commonly reported used by affected patients.
In February, the FDA issued a voluntary recall by Global Pharma Healthcare of EzriCare’s and Delsam Pharma’s artificial tears.
More information from the CDC can be found here.
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