LAKEWOOD, N.J.—The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised against using EzriCare eye drops while it investigates multiple infections, hospitalizations, and at least one death in the U.S. associated with its usage, according to a statement released by the agency. According to the CDC statement issued on Jan. 20, the agency is currently investigating a multistate cluster of Verona Integron‐mediated Metallo‐β‐lactamase (VIM)‐ and Guiana‐Extended Spectrum‐β‐Lactamase (GES)‐ producing carbapenem‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (VIM‐GES‐CRPA) associated with multiple different infection types, including eye infections.

Recent epidemiology and laboratory evidence link these infections to use of EzriCare artificial tears. The CDC recommends that clinicians and patients immediately discontinue the use of EzriCare artificial tears until the epidemiological investigation and laboratory analyses are complete.

New Jersey-based EzriCare issued a pair of statements regarding the CDC advisory, the latest of which is dated Feb. 1 and stated, “As of today, we are not aware of any testing that definitively links the Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak to EzriCare Artificial Tears. Nonetheless, we immediately took action to stop any further distribution or sale of EzriCare artificial tears. To the greatest extent possible, we have been contacting customers to advise them against continued use of the product. We also immediately reached out to both CDC and FDA and indicated our willingness to cooperate with any requests they may have of us.”

 
 
The EzriCare Artificial Tears product is manufactured in India by Global Pharma Healthcare PVT Limited and imported into the U.S. by Aru Pharma Inc. EzriCare, LLC's only role in introducing the product to the market was to design an exterior label and to market it to its customers. EzriCare, LLC had no role in the formulation, packaging delivery system design or actual manufacturing of this product, according to the company statement.