👀 Ones to watch: The MOST undervalued stocks to buy right nowSee Undervalued Stocks

Philips expands respiratory devices recall on possible plastic contamination

Published 08/29/2022, 01:38 PM
Updated 08/30/2022, 09:31 AM
© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Dutch technology company Philips logo is seen at company headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands, January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Eva Plevier

(Reuters) - Dutch medical device maker Philips said on Monday it has expanded an earlier recall of some respiratory machines to a total of 1,700 devices globally due to possible contamination of a plastic component with a non-compatible material.

The company's subsidiary, Philips Respironics, has not received any reports of patient harm due to the issue but announced the recall to prevent future occurrences, a Philips spokesperson said.

The 1,700 devices also include 386 in the United States, but none in the company's home country, the Netherlands-based Philips said.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration first announced the recall on Monday, saying that if the plastic is in the device motor of the bi-level positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines, it may release certain chemicals of concern called volatile organic compounds.

Philips distributed the 386 affected BiPAP machines in the United States between Aug. 6, 2020 and Sept. 1, 2021 and sent an urgent medical device recall letter to the affected customers on Friday, the agency said.

However, only machines with certain serial numbers identified by the company are affected by this recall, the FDA said.

This recall is not associated with last year's call back of millions of breathing devices and ventilators due to the potential of a foam part degrading and becoming toxic, possibly causing cancer.

However, some of the devices recalled last year may also have faulty plastic parts that triggered the latest recall, the FDA said.

"All affected devices with the non-conforming plastic will therefore be remediated in the June 2021 field action," the company said.

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Dutch technology company Philips logo is seen at company headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands, January 29, 2019. REUTERS/Eva Plevier

Philips' market value has slumped by over two-thirds since last year's recall, leading the company to replace Frans van Houten with Roy Jakobs as chief executive officer in mid-October.

($1 = 1.0005 euros)

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.