Philips is recalling another 1,700 respirators because they may contain contaminated plastic, a company spokesperson said on Tuesday. reporting from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Philips thus expands the previous recall of the 43 so-called Bipap devices to 1,700. No incorrectly produced Bipap devices will be recalled from the Netherlands, because they were not delivered here, according to the spokesperson.
Last April, 43 respirators that had already left the factory were found to have contaminated plastic in the engine. The 43 devices were already recalled in June, but Philips now wants to recall a total of 1,700 devices as a precaution. These may have the wrong motor, in which chemicals can be released. This can lead to health problems such as dizziness and nausea, but can also have toxic or carcinogenic effects. The plastic can also cause the device to suddenly stop working. To date, the FDA has not reported any deaths or serious health impairments.
Philips has long had problems with the safety of ventilators. The company is already replacing five million sleep apnea devices due to potential health risks. This refers to a settlement with the American Public Miniseries, as was announced at the presentation of the disappointing half-year figures. The Bipap devices have already been selected for this gigantic operation in more than a hundred countries. But the risks associated with these particular devices are now extensive. Not only could the polyester-polyurethane foam break, it could also be the wrong motor installed.
The ventilator affair is the biggest of a series of issues that the healthcare technology company is currently grappling with. Inflation and supply problems due to corona lockdowns in China are driving cost increases and slowing production. CEO Frans van Houten recently announced his early retirement. The stock market value of Philips has fallen sharply in the meantime; Philips saw about 20 billion euros in market value evaporate.