ProPublica

Senator Calls for DOJ Action Against #Philips for Keeping #CPAP Machine Complaints Secret
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Days after our investigation revealed Philips had kept secret more than 3,700 complaints about its breathing machines over 11 years, Sen. Richard Blumenthal is seeking federal enforcement.

The #FDA also said it is “unsatisfied” with the company’s response to the crisis.

https://www.propublica.org/article/blumenthal-justice-department-action-against-philips?utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=mastodon-post

Senator Calls for DOJ Action Against Philips for Keeping CPAP Machine Complaints Secret

The FDA also said it is “unsatisfied” with the company’s response to the crisis. Share prices dropped in early trading.

ProPublica
Oct 6, 2023 at 5:50pmWeb
Show threadProPublicaOct 6, 2023

Read our original report on how Philips kept complaints about dangerous breathing machines secret while its profits soared:

https://www.propublica.org/article/philips-kept-warnings-about-dangerous-cpaps-secret-profits-soared?utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=mastodon-post

Philips Kept Complaints About Dangerous Breathing Machines Secret While Company Profits Soared

Tainted CPAP machines and ventilators went to children, the elderly and at least 700,000 veterans despite internal warnings. Company insiders said the devices posed an “unacceptable” risk.

ProPublica
Show threadLikely Jan LukasOct 6, 2023

@ProPublica

> “Philips’ priority is patient safety and quality,” the company said.
This bit made me laugh. Nvm #CPAP, Philips acquired responsibility for the #ironlungs still used by lifelong #polio patients to survive, yet basically left each of them to risk constant suffocation due to NOT maintaining these machines.
When DIY kludges fail, patients die. Few such patients are left alive now. 😡

Show thread@billclassifiedOct 6, 2023
@ProPublica People need to be held responsible.
Show threadCat WestOct 6, 2023
@ProPublica We need to make laws that hold individuals responsible for serious harm done by their corporations, products, when they knowingly allow it to continue, especially when people suffer life long, or die as a result. This corporate shield sh*t needs to be modified to prevent murder for profit.
Show threadIreland Inside and OutOct 6, 2023
@ProPublica I had one of these and the only reason i learned about this potentially deadly issue was a story in the Washington Post. Supposedly Phillips had been warning everyone with one of these devices for more than a year before I read the Post's story.Thanks Phillips for endangering my life.
Show threadSuperTwaddleOct 8, 2023

@ProPublica "“It was a catastrophic series of errors,” said a former compliance supervisor. “There were people who knew and knew for a long time.”

"Errors" my ass. Decision makes need to face consequences, appropriate to the harm they've caused others. The kind of consequences an individual, say, serial killer or maimer might face.

Show threadPaul Wermer, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0Oct 6, 2023
@ProPublica I really, really, really need to remember that all of those "reliable" brands I remember from more than 30 years ago - aren't now (and maybe never were) operating with integrity. Like a fool, I still tend towards the "reputable" brands of my youth.