HOME / NEWS / CRIME & JUSTICE

'Why are we importing drugs from INDIA!' Internet has major questions after contaminated eye drop peril

The CDC has launched an investigation into a nationwide outbreak of bacterial infections allegedly caused by artificial tear eye drops

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has launched an investigation into a nationwide outbreak of bacterial infections allegedly caused by artificial tear eye drops, which are said to be contaminated with a rare “extensively drug-resistant” superbug. The CDC issued a statement on March 21 when they warned people to immediately stop using EzriCare or Delsam Pharma's products after identifying 68 patients in 16 states who were infected with the rare strain of pseudomonas aeruginosa and reported using artificial tears.

The public health authorities reported that three people died after using Lubricant Eye Drops while at least eight individuals lost their vision and four patients had their eyes surgically removed. The 68 patients used more than 10 different kinds of artificial tears but EzriCare Artificial Tears was the most reported brand, according to CDC. After receiving a wide number of complaints, Global Pharma Healthcare, last month, recalled its Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drop, a product used to lubricate dry eyes, according to CNN.

READ MORE

Clara Oliva: Florida grandmother sues eye drops maker Ezricare after losing right eye to bacterial infection

Who is Yacedrah Williams? Michigan woman almost lost eye after pouring nail glue in it instead of eye drops  

What are drug-resistant bacteria?

The eye drops were made in India and were distributed by EzriCare and Delsam Pharma. As per the Gateway Pundit, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium resistant to ordinary medicines, is commonly linked to outbreaks at hospitals in India, where Global Pharma Healthcare is based. It is known that Pseudomonas aeruginosa usually spread through contaminated hands or medical equipment. The CDC also reported that this particular drug-resistant strain of the bacteria had never been seen in the United States before this outbreak.

What are the Symptoms?

The Public health agency initially advised people to stop using artificial eye drops in January 2023, when bottles used by infected patients were found to contain the lethal bacteria. As per the CDC, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin, are a few states where individuals are contracting illnesses as a result of utilizing the drops. The government agency listed several signs and symptoms of an eye infection, such as "yellow, green, or clear discharge from the eye," "eye pain or discomfort," "redness of the eye or eyelid," and "feeling of something in your eye (foreign body sensation)." It also mentions increased sensitivity to light and blurry vision.

'Why is that coming from India'

The CDC’s latest statement has sparked a fierce debate on social media, with many users questioning why the US is importing drugs that are manufactured in India. “First why is that coming from India not here,” one user said. “Oh, made in India...not the very country that handed out Ivermectin to its entire population! Just when the tiniest veins of the body are being affected by the latest vax, what a coincidence!” a second user wrote while the third user asserted “Think twice before using anything manufactured by a company with the word #global in their name.” “This is another reason why all countries need to have the same standards or manufacture their own products.” Another said.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online