Chennai-based Pharma Company Suspends Production Of Eye Drops From US Market Over Loss Of Vision

A Chennai-based pharmaceutical on Friday suspended a line of eye drops being supplied in the US market after the country's health authorities alerted that it could be contaminated with a drug-resistant bacteria that have been linked to reports of permanent vision loss and one death from a bloodstream infection.

According to a report by NDTV, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is testing unopened bottles of EzriCare Artificial Tears eye drops, manufactured by Chennai-based Global Pharma Healthcare, while the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it has moved to restrict imports of products made by the company.

The report quoted the agency as saying, "FDA is warning consumers and health care practitioners not to purchase and immediately stop using EzriCare Artificial Tears or Delsam Pharma's Artificial Tears due to potential bacterial contamination. Using contaminated artificial tears increases risk of eye infections that could result in blindness or death."

Earlier, the company had voluntarily recalled all the lots "within expiry of their Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops, distributed by /EzriCare, LLC- and Delsam Pharma, to the consumer level, due to possible contamination", according to an earlier. 

US has been witnessing a sudden spurt in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, affecting at least 55 people across a dozen states, and at least one death, according to media reports.