Press Releases
10/05/2021
Attorney General Tong Urges FDA to Expedite Philips CPAP Replacement
(Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to step up their oversight of the Philips Respironics recall to ensure that millions of impacted patients can resume safe use of their CPAP, biPAP and ventilator devices as soon as possible.Philips Respironics issued a voluntary recall on June 14, 2021 of its E-30, Dream Station ASV, Dreams Station ST, AVAPS, , System One ASV4, C-Series ASV, C-Series S/T, AVAPS, Omnilab Advanced +, System One (Q Series), Dream Station, Dream Station Go, Dorma 400, Dorma 500, REMStar SE Auto, Trilogy 100, Trilogy 200, A-Series BiPAP Hybrid A30, A-Series BiPAP V30 Auto, A-Series BiPAP A40, and A-Series BiPAP A30, noting potentially life-threatening issues related to degradation of polyester-based polyurethane (PE-PUR) sound abatement foam. Particulates released from degrading PE-PUR foam into devices’ air pathways and off-gassing of chemicals are toxic and potentially carcinogenic, presenting a serious and unacceptable risk to patients. It is important to note that individual registration of affected machines is the first step in the recall process.
Unfortunately, the notification issued by Philips Respironics to patients never explained how the company will repair or replace the defective devices. Patients have reported that calls to the toll-free phone number provided do not connect callers with people knowledgeable about the recall, and requests for return phone calls are not fulfilled.
Attorney General Tong has called on the company to provide replacement machines, reimbursement, and repair guidance. While Philips can and must take stronger action immediately to assist patients, the recall is regulated by the FDA. Philips has indicated that the FDA has approved a corrective action plan, but neither the FDA nor the company have publicly released the plan, leading to confusion and concern. Greater transparency is necessary to ensure public confidence in the plan.
“It is abundantly clear to me that millions of people who rely on these devices are scared, upset and woefully lacking understanding of what to do. The corrective action plan approved by your agency, to be followed by Philips, has not been disclosed either by the FDA or by Philips. This lack of transparency leaves patients at risk,” Attorney General Tong states in his letter.
Patients who use a Philips ventilator device are encouraged to register their product with Philips to receive updates and guidance on the recall. Click here for information on how to register: https://www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/e/sleep/communications/src-update
Full draft of the letter is below or click here to download.
Janet Woodcock, MD
Commissioner
Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Ave
Silver Spring, MD 20993
Re: Philips Respironics Recall
Dear Commissioner Woodcock:
I am writing to request that the FDA take more aggressive regulatory action pertaining to the voluntary recall by Philips Respironics of certain Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (“CPAP”), Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure (“BiPAP”) and ventilator devices, which contain a degrading foam that has been determined by the FDA to be potentially life threatening.
I wrote directly to Philips on August 5, 2021 about its voluntary recall, at a time when it was unclear what corrective measures Philips intended to take, whether Philips intended to replace the affected machines and, if so, how long that process would take. The response I received was less than reassuring. Philips responded that it would replace the devices, but the process will take as much as 12 months to complete. In the meantime, it has not offered any interim steps to be taken to protect individuals who need to use the machines while awaiting replacement under the recall.
It is abundantly clear to me that millions of people who rely on these devices are scared, upset and woefully lacking understanding of what to do. The corrective action plan approved by your agency, to be followed by Philips, has not been disclosed either by the FDA or by Philips. This lack of transparency leaves patients at risk. On the one hand, they do not want to expose themselves through continued use of the affected machines to the particulates and carcinogens released by the degrading foam. On the other hand, they require assistance in breathing and are unable in many cases to either locate or invest in alternative machines. Making matters worse, replacement machines are reportedly scarce in light of the heightened demand caused by the recall itself.
My office reached out via email to James Nick Walker Assistant Director of CDRH Recalls & Shortages at your agency on September 2, 2021 to open a discussion about issues relating to the recall. My office has received a promise from a government relations spokesperson that we will receive a response, but no response or substantive communication has occurred. We had hoped to provide feedback to the FDA about issues relating to patient notice, short term replacement strategies, and suggestions about overall transparency actions that would enhance patient confidence in the measures being taken on their behalf.
My office has suggested to Philips via its outside counsel that it consider the following:
• Reimbursing health plans that provide coverage for replacement machines before the end of the typical five-year coverage period required by many if not most plans.
• Examining whether filtration methods could be employed to reduce exposure risk prior to replacement.
• Sponsoring the issuance of loaner machines through DME providers prior to replacement
• Reimbursing patients who are able to replace machines at their own expense before Philips is able to do so.
• Improving public awareness and patient notification through direct outreach to sleep centers and hospital systems where these devices are commonly used and recommended.
• Prioritizing those in need by ensuring that the most medically compromised patients get their replacements sooner.
• Considering certified methods of local repair of affected machines.
• Making progress toward the goal of replacing machines more transparent to the public by issuing biweekly reports containing, at minimum, the number of machine registrations and the number of replaced machines, segmented by state.
These are by no means an exhaustive list of suggestions. Nevertheless, it is abundantly clear that while Philips has acknowledged these suggestions it is truly up to the regulator, i.e., the FDA, to select strategies that will work to shorten this crisis, protect vulnerable patients in the interim and keep all affected citizens apprised of their rights and the progress of the corrective action plan. Please give this matter the urgent and focused attention it deserves.
Very truly yours,
WILLIAM TONG
- Twitter: @AGWilliamTong
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