The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has cautioned the general public about a recent major incidence of contamination of two brands of eyedrops, namely; Ezricare Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears owned by Global Pharma.

 A statement issued by the FDA on Thursday, 23 March 2023, said Global Pharma has since “issued a recall of the products.”

Also, “the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC) has classified the incident as an outbreak."

It indicated that the eyedrops were found to contain the “drug-resistant bacteria pseudomanias aeruginosa and is suspected to have led to three deaths and vision loss in eight patients.”

It revealed that the products are not “registered with the Ghana FDA.” 

The FDA advised persons in possession of such drugs through other means “to immediately stop using the recalled products, Ezricare Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears, and submit them to any of the FDA offices nationwide.”

It further advised “anyone who has used these recalled products and is experiencing any symptoms to contact a healthcare professional immediately.”

Reported symptoms include “yellow, green or clear discharge from the eye, eye pain or discomfort, redness, feeling of something in the eye, increase sensitivity to light and blurred visions.”

The FDA assured the general public that it is “taking all necessary measures to ensure that only safe and effective medical products are available in Ghana.”