BRONX, N.Y.—In addition to artificial tears products, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now warning consumers and health care professionals not to purchase or use Delsam Pharma’s artificial eye ointment due to potential bacterial contamination. This is an over-the-counter product, manufactured by Global Pharma Healthcare Private Limited, intended to be sterile. It's the same company behind the EzriCare and Delsam Pharma artificial tears products that were recalled earlier this year. The FDA had faulted the company for multiple violations and banned imports into the U.S. of its items.

Global Pharma Healthcare voluntarily recalled all lots within expiry of its Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops, distributed by EzriCare, LLC and Delsam Pharma, to the consumer level, due to possible contamination.

The FDA warning followed a nationwide health alert issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) over an outbreak of a "rare, extensively drug-resistant" Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria in a dozen states. The strain had never before been seen in the U.S.

 
 
On February 2, the FDA warned consumers and health care practitioners not to purchase and to immediately stop using EzriCare Artificial Tears or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears due to potential bacterial contamination.