At least three people have died and 65 others have suffered vision issues stemming from contaminated eye drops.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in partnership with the Food and Drug Administration, said the issues were linked to drops for artificial tears. The people impacted by the contamination reported that they used at least 10 different brands of eye drops with EzriCare Artificial Tears being the most common.
Apotex and Pharmedica were among the brands added to the recall list.
Some notable symptoms of an eye infection include yellow, green or clear discharge from the eyes, pain or discomfort, blurry vision, red eye and increased sensitivity to light.
Last month, the FDA said Global Pharma healthcare, the India-based company that manufactures EzriCare products, did not adequately test for microbial bacteria and also failed to use proper tamper-proof packaging, which ultimately led to the unchecked outbreak.
A Montana judge on Monday sided with young environmental activists who said state agencies were violating their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment by permitting fossil fuel development without considering its effect on the climate.
Alzheimer’s mainly affects the elderly, who are eligible for Medicare, but people under 65 — even, rarely, as young as their 30s — also can get diagnosed. They are more likely to have commercial coverage.
Some doctors say the drug should be held for three weeks before sedation to accommodate the delayed emptying of the stomach, which can cause patients to inhale food and liquid into their lungs.
