Bausch & Lomb News

CDC Links Bausch Products To More Eye-Fungus Cases

By JON KAMP

CHICAGO -- The number of serious eye infections linked to Bausch & Lomb Inc.'s ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution rose sharply, while those linked to the more popular ReNU MultiPlus brand grew more modestly, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Of the 98 confirmed Fusarium keratitis cases for which the CDC has complete data, 93 people wore contact lenses and 59 used MoistureLoc, an increase of 27 cases from a week ago. Bausch has pulled MoistureLoc from circulation amid concerns about the high rate of infection links.

Those using MultiPlus, a market leader that remains on retailers' shelves, has increased by four to 19, the CDC said.

Bausch shares sank more than 3% after the CDC released the latest numbers, but rebounded and closed up 16 cents to $44.84. Investors have feared wide implications for Bausch's huge ReNu brand, and while the latest figures suggest continued connections to MultiPlus, they also back a trend of strong links to MoistureLoc.

A Bausch spokeswoman wasn't available for immediate comment Tuesday. Last week, the company defended MultiPlus, and pointed out that the product holds a nearly 40% market share that exceeds the level of connection to eye infection cases.

The Food and Drug Administration has recommended against MoistureLoc but hasn't made similar statements regarding other lens solutions. In response to the latest CDC figures, FDA spokeswoman Kristen Neese said Tuesday that the agency's advice to consumers remains unchanged. Both the CDC and FDA noted that the number of overall MultiPlus users with infections is small compared with the product's 11 million customers. MoistureLoc, in contrast, has about 2.3 million users.

Bausch has offered free MultiPlus to MoistureLoc users, and urged doctors last week to continue recommending the product.

The CDC also said Tuesday that nine people reported using an unspecified ReNu product, up from seven unspecified ReNu users counted last Tuesday.

Also, three people reported using a product made by Advanced Medical Optics Inc., while four reported using an Alcon Inc. product, the CDC said. The Alcon total has increased by one in the last week, and the Advanced Medical Optics total is unchanged.

Though the CDC continues to connect products with infections, the agency's total infection count hasn't increased much. Overall, the agency has confirmed 106 cases, up from 102 cases on Friday. There are also 12 possible cases and 80 cases still under investigation.

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