Avastin Lawsuit: Free Consultation with Lawyer Regarding Eye Infection
At least 12 serious eye infections (endophthalmitis) have been caused by injections into the eye of repackaged Avastin (bevacizumad) that was contaminated with Streptococcus bacteria. These reported cases were in the Miami, Florida area.
Investigators traced the tainted Avastin injections to a single pharmacy located in Hollywood, Florida. The pharmacy repackaged the Avastin from sterile injectable 100 mg/4 mL, single-use, preservative-free vials into individual 1 mL single-use syringes. It is suspected that the repackaging process was not done with proper aseptic technique, which allowed Streptococcus bacteria to contaminate the Avastin.
This pharmacy should be held accountable for the injuries and blindness that it caused. These cases are even more egregious because the FDA has not approved of the use of Avastin for macular degeneration or other eye problems. Avastin is approved as a cancer drug.
To date, three clinics are involved in this outbreak of Streptococcus endophthalmitis. Because the pharmacy distributed the repackaged Avastin to multiple eye clinics, other clinics may be involved. Health care professionals should ensure that drug products are obtained from appropriate, reliable sources and properly administered. It appears that the clinics that used the repackaged Avastin on the 12 outbreak victims did not take the care needed to make sure the repackaged Avastin was safe to use. In addition, Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) has been approved by the FDA for wet age-related macular degeneration, so one wonders why the clinics used the unapproved, repackaged Avastin instead of an approved drug.
Fred Pritzker is our lead attorney for cases involving contaminated medical products that cause serious infections. He and his team of lawyers have won millions for people injured by defective medical products and represent people throughout the United States. Contact our law firm for a free consultation regarding lawsuit against the pharmacy and others responsible for your loved one’s eye infection and vision loss.
Repackaged Avastin Caused Eye Infections and Blindness in Miami, Florida Area, FDA Warns
The FDA has warned health care professionals that repackaged Avastin (bevacizumab) has caused at least 12 cases Streptococcus endophthalmitis (serious eye infections) in the Miami, Florida area. Some of the people who suffered this infection were blinded.
The repackaged Avastin has been traced back to a pharmacy located in Hollywood, Florida. The pharmacy repackaged the Avastin from sterile injectable 100 mg/4 mL, single-use, preservative-free vials into individual 1 mL single-use syringes. The pharmacy then distributed the Avastin to multiple eye clinics for use in treating patients, including the three eye clinics in the Miami area where the 12 victims of this outbreak had the Avastin injected into their eyes. Avastin is a cancer drug and is not approved for use in the eyes as a treatment for macular degeneration.
Repackaging sterile drugs without proper aseptic technique can compromise product sterility, potentially putting the patient at risk for dangerous infections. Health care professionals should ensure that drug products are obtained from appropriate, reliable sources and properly administered.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an eye infection, specifically Streptococcus endophthalmitis, contact our attorneys for a free consultation.
