Tamil Nadu’s Drug Controller and Central Drug Control Authority during a late-night inspection ordered Chennai-based Global Pharma Healthcare to suspend all its eye-drops manufacturing. The pharmaceutical company was flagged by US authorities over lethal contamination in the eye drops.

During the investigation by senior drug inspectors, it was found that the company has exported two consignments of 24 batches of ‘Artificial Tears’ to the US which were manufactured in 2021 and 2022.

The samples were taken for analysis from four batches of control samples. The sample of raw material Carboxy Methyl Cellulose Sodium was also taken. Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has barred the manufacturing of EzriCare Artificial Tears at the Chennai-based firm after US FDA alleged adverse events due to the use of eye drops.

"US regulator Food and Drug Administration warned consumers “not to purchase or use Chennai-based manufacturer EzriCare Artificial Tears due to potential contamination”, added the statement. The CDSCO and Tamil Nadu State Drug Controller have initiated a probe into the matter.