Ventilators Recalled Due To Discovered Health Risks

The following report is from Reuters:

Foam used to dampen the machines’ sound can degrade and emit small particles that irritate airways, the group said as it announced the recall. Gases released by the degrading foam may also be toxic or carry cancer risks. 

Philips Chief Executive Frans van Houten said the company was one of the largest makers of sleep apnea machines and ventilators. Between 3 million and 4 million would be targeted in the recall, he said. 

The group took a 250 million euro ($303 million) charge for the issue after announcing an identical provision in its first quarter-earnings report in April, bringing the total cost of the problem to 500 million euros to date. 

We’re going to put all our capacity to focus entirely on replacing and repairing these units.

[That] has a consequence that we will not be able to serve new customers, so there’s going to be a shortage in the field. 

Van Houten said in a call, a process he said would likely take a year

Company spokesman Steve Klink said about 80% of the affected devices were machines used to help people with sleep apnea, known as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines. Users of those machines were advised to halt usage. Around two-thirds of Philips CPAP machine sales are in the United States. 

The other 20% of affected devices were ventilators. Doctors and patients using life-sustaining ventilators should first consider whether the potential danger from the foam outweighs other risks, the company said. 

Philips has received reports of possible patient impact due to foam degradation. To date, there have been no reports of death as a result of these issues.

The company said in a statement

Spokesman Klink said Philips had received some complaints about the devices, representing 0.03% of those sold in 2020. 

The company said the matter would cause “revenue headwinds” in the division making the devices but that would be compensated by strength in other businesses. 

It left its full-year financial guidance of “low-to-mid-single-digit” comparable sales growth unchanged. 

Philips said it was working with health authorities on a safe replacement for the foam, but that it must first clear testing and regulatory hurdles. 

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AUTHOR COMMENTARY

So after popping people’s lungs like balloons, now the media tells us that ‘just some’ of them have been recalled because health risks, for a disease that I quite frankly am still convinced does not truly exist.

Facts Are Facts: Learn The Data Surrounding Covid-19

[1] O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. [2] Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. [3] LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? [4] How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? [5] They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage. [6] They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. [7] Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. [8] Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?

Psalms 94:1-8

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[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).

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