Target: Robert Califf, Commissioner of U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Goal: Enact stronger protections for consumers of eye relief products.
A product commonly used to soothe the eyes is coming under increased scrutiny for possible bacterial contamination. Several different brands of eyedrops (or artificial tears), including EzriCare and Delsam Pharma, have been recalled and are now under investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The recalled products may contain a dangerous form of drug-resistant bacteria that can cause effects including eye pain, blurry vision, light sensitivity, redness or discharge around the eyes, and even eventual death.
Around 70 cases across almost a third of the states have been potentially linked to the bacterial outbreak. In the most extreme of these cases, eight people reportedly lost their sight and four more had to have their eyeballs removed. Infections also apparently sometimes got into the blood, the respiratory tract, and other body systems. At least three people have died.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has claimed that negligence in packaging and preservative processes on the part of EzriCare and Delsam’s parent company, Global Pharma, may have played a role in the contamination. Sign the petition below to demand this regulatory agency improve its vetting process and launch investigations into other recalled eyedrop products.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Commissioner Califf,
When a drug-resistant strain of bacteria previous undiscovered in the United States was believed to have infected dozens of people, consumers were understandably alarmed. The commonplace nature of the alleged source of these infections stirred even greater concern. Now the FDA and the CDC have seemingly confirmed worst fears about recalled eyedrop products.
The FDA in particular has issued a harsh condemnation of seeming negligence on the part of one major distributor. What will this agency do to ensure that such a disturbing series of events does not happen again? Several other eyedrop brands have been recalled. Please investigate these cases with the same diligence and strengthen the guidelines and regulations related to these products for the well-being of consumers.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: National Eye Institute
During spring and summer months I use eye drops. I kept forgetting to buy them and boy am I glad I did because I would have been blinded or lost my eyes for sure. How horrible for so many that have been hurt by these poison eye drops.