Eye drops RECALLED, TCI outlaws potentially deadly batch

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, February 20, 2023 – The recall resulting from a fatal outbreak of bacteria caused by eye drops in the United States is now affecting the Turks and Caicos.  First reported by Magnetic Media on February 3rd,  the Ministry of Health confirmed that the recall is in effect for the TCI.

The revelation was made by the Ministry in a Facebook post on Wednesday, February 15th.

It is advising all local suppliers and the public to discontinue the sale and/or use of all lots of The ‘Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops’ distributed by EzriCare LLC and Delsam Pharma.  Used to protect against dry eye the medication has already killed one person who went into septic shock from a bloodstream infection and blinded others.

Healthcare providers are being instructed to stop supplying the products, notify overseas suppliers, and quarantine the remaining stock for possible disposal by the Environmental Health Department.  As for consumers they are encouraged to call the department at 338-2142 for information on how to dispose of them.

If you are having any adverse reactions contact your doctor and report any side effects here.

The eye drops are packaged in bottles with safety seals and are placed in carton boxes (see below) labelled as:

• Ezricare (NDC 79503-0101-15; UPC 3 79503 10115 7)
• Delsam Pharma’s (NDC 72570-121-15; UPC -72570-0121-15)

See photos of the boxes on our website and social media or the Turks and Caicos Government Facebook page.