The Dutch manufacturer had launched a global recall of these devices, including 370,000 in France, in June 2021. The National Medicines Agency (ANSM) has received nearly 3,000 reports of adverse effects.
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A preliminary investigation was opened after the complaint of several users of Philips respirators, in particular used against sleep apnea, which are suspected of causing headaches, asthma, coughs and even cancers.
The preliminary investigation was opened on June 20, 2022 by the public health center of the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office, for “endangering the lives of others”, “aggravated deception” and “administration of harmful substances”. Eight complaints are currently on the office of the magistrates while waiting for a dozen others filed in the regions.
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The problem comes from the sound-absorbing foam which is inside these ventilation devices and which rejects particles which are inhaled by the user. The National Medicines Agency (ANSM) has received nearly 3,000 reports of adverse effects.
According to the ANSM, there is no proof of a carcinogenic risk in view of the available data and the pulmonologists recommend for the moment that patients continue their treatment with these respirators, until they are repaired or replaced. .
Philips pledged more than a year ago to remove all defective devices from the market (the list is available here). But of the 370,000 respirators that were in circulation in France, the manufacturer only replaced a third.